A study conducted by a team of Swansea University scientists has come across a rare Japanese knotweed hybrid near Cardiff.

The knotweed cross-breed is commonly known as Connolly’s knotweed – a blend of traditional Japanese knotweed and similar-looking plant, Russian vine.

While Connelly’s knotweed is fairly rare on UK soil, records have shown a rise in prominence of the rare plant across continental Europe.

With this emergence in South Wales comes growing concerns that Britain’s knotweed problem could get worse.

Problem Might Get Worse

The study was part of a larger investigation conducted by Swansea University College of Science conducted over the course of eight years.

The thorough examination into the knotweed problem also included the world’s largest Japanese knotweed field trial.

According to Swansea University’s Sophie Hocking, the PhD student leading the Japanese knotweed study, had this to say:

“If future climatic conditions become favourable for these seeds to germinate successfully, our Japanese knotweed problem might get worse.

A seed bank full of hybrid knotweed could mean a second wave of invasion following treatment of the initial problem.”

Take Action Early

With scientific evidence posing a grim update into the growing Japanese knotweed issue nationwide, the UK’s on-going battle with the villainous vine proves to be far from over.

While the impact of this latest discovery remains to be seen, the importance of taking eradicative action on Japanese knotweed upon discovery has never been more evident.

Early discovery and early attention can help minimise the issue and limit the damage caused by the unwelcome guest.

Knotweed Removal

If you believe you may have Japanese knotweed on your property or suspect there may be Japanese knotweed on a neighbouring property, act fast to nip the problem in the bud before it gets out of hand.

At Total Weed Control, we specialise in evicting Japanese knotweed from your property for good. With over 15 years’ experience in the knotweed game, our team of experts are more than capable of wiping out your weedy woes.

Our services are available across South Wales and the South West, including Cardiff and Swansea. Whether you knotweed is of the Japanese or Connelly variety, we don’t discriminate – we’ll help you say “sayonara” to your knotweed problem today.

For more information on the Japanese knotweed removal services available at Total Weed Control, why not drop us a line today? Call now on 029 2039 7554 or get in touch online by clicking the link below.

Get in Touch

Over the last month, it’s come to light that the Environmental Agency and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) have come up with a helpful and proactive way of tackling the growing Japanese knotweed problem in the UK.

As part of a conscious effort to monitor and reduce the implications of Japanese knotweed across the country, the EA and DEFRA have suggested the implementation of a national database to track the plants reach and whereabouts, as well as monitoring its subsequent effects on house prices.

Plant Tracking

The move comes as a result of findings reported by the Science and Technology Committee, highlighting the impact the invasive plant can have on properties across the UK.

However, this latest step isn’t the first time the Environmental Agency’s first foray into Japanese knotweed monitoring territory.

The Environment Agency had previously attempted to track the reach of the naughty knot with its PlantTracker app, commissioned back in 2012.

The original app aimed to utilise crowd-sourcing as a means of creating a national database; however, it was removed from due to funding issues and development problems.

Mapping it Out

While other independent companies have attempted to chart the knotweed problem in recent years, this new government-led initiative could well be the comprehensive map the general public has needed.

The Environment Agency is set to consult with major national Japanese knotweed removal firms to explore the practicalities of assembling a database and assimilate how these third parties could contribute.

The government has confirmed that the EA will meet with both the Property Care Association and Invasive Non-Native Specialists Association (INNSA) to begin this process in early autumn 2019.

As part of the government’s deep-dive into the Japanese knotweed issue, the EA and DEFRA aim to look into the issue extensively over the coming months, with their findings set to be published by March 2020.

Japanese Knotweed Treatment

While the move by the government is reassuring news for the future of (or lack thereof) of Japanese knotweed in the UK, the process is still likely to be a slow and laborious one that’s of little help to anyone already plighted by the wicked weed.

If you are currently suffering from the ill-effects of Japanese knotweed or believe your property may well be under invasion from the Asian vegetation, why not drop us a line today?

Our team of experts have over 15 years’ experience in weed removal and are the premier Japanese knotweed specialists in Wales and the West.

Stop your horticultural headaches before they become a viny migraine by nipping it in the bud today, courtesy of Total Weed Control.

For more information on Japanese knotweed removal service from Total Weed Control, call 029 2039 7554 now to speak to our team or click the button below to request a FREE knotweed survey.

Request a FREE Survey

Japanese knotweed troubles once again hit the headlines this week as shocking news surfaced about the extent of effects JKW can have on house prices.

According to some experts, the average drop in house value is a startling 10% – all the more reason to nip your problem in the bud if you suspect knotweed is lurking on your property.

Frightful Statistics

Property comparison site, Zoopla, notes that the average price of a property in Wales was approximately £180k. For the average home, that equates to a troubling £18k lost simply through the mere presence of Japanese knotweed.

Flawed Science

Back in May, The Telegraph reported that that the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee viewed the banks’ stance on JKW as an “overly cautious” approach to the issue.

According to the article, the committee noted that the structural impact of Japanese knotweed “might not be as significant as previously believed.''

Nevertheless, the banks and mortgage lenders continue to hold firm in their steadfast approach to the pricing of Japanese knotweed properties.

The Smart Choice

While the impact on price will naturally vary from one property to the next, the 10% figure is a good rule of thumb for anyone looking to buy or sell a property with Japanese knotweed present on site.

If you’re looking to sell your property, it can be far more financially beneficial to treat the problem before you sell, particularly if the fee equates to less than 10% of your property value.

Japanese Knotweed Removal

If you’re looking to stop your Japanese knotweed issue dead in its tracks, here are Total Weed Control, we can help send your sinister squatters back from whence they came.

Our team of experts have over 15 years’ experience in weed removal and have dealt with countless cases of knotweed first-hand, up-close and personal.

As Wales’ foremost Japanese knotweed specialists, we take great pride in making homes knotweed-free, with a variety of proven techniques and methods to do just that.

Protect your home and your property value by treating your Japanese knotweed issue today before it gets out of hand. The alternative could prove costly!

For more information on Japanese knotweed treatment from Total Weed Control, why not drop us a line today? Call now on 029 2039 7554 or get in touch online using the button below.

Get in Touch

Recent research has uncovered some insightful stats regarding the Japanese knotweed hotspots in the UK, which could pose a worry to homeowners in Wales and the West. It has been revealed that the most serious Japanese knotweed hotspots reside along the west coast.

Japanese knotweed can make selling a property more difficult, but a PCA-recognised Japanese knotweed control programme (supported by a ten year insurance-backed company guarantee) removes a lot of the concerns and makes it a lot easier.

Whether you're a homeowner or an estate agent, here are some tips to help you deal with this invasive plant and sell the affected property.

First, make sure it actually IS Japanese knotweed.

If you think there's Japanese knotweed on a property you're trying to sell, your first course of action should be to call an expert.

Note that Japanese knotweed looks quite similar to a number of other plants and weeds - including bindweed, Russian vine, broadleaf dock and ground elder, so we recommend contacting a Japanese knotweed specialist and asking them to carry out a survey of your property.

An experienced professional will be able to confirm whether or not you have a Japanese knotweed problem and advise you on what to do next.

READ MORE: How to Identify Japanese Knotweed

Declare the knotweed presence

Japanese knotweed isn't technically classified as a 'notifiable weed', but since 2013, the Law Society's TA6 form includes a specific question on the subject of Japanese knotweed. Failure to disclose information relating to a knotweed infestation on your property can be deemed a breach of Consumer Protection Rights regulations.

Naturally, such a transgression can have legal ramifications, providing solid grounds for misrepresentation and potentially leaving you open to a lawsuit. So it's best to be honest and upfront about the issue during the entire selling process.

Insurance backed guarantee

If it turns out that you do indeed have Japanese knotweed on your property, it's important to take action as soon as possible. The longer you leave it, the worse the knotweed infestation will get.

Mortgage lenders can be extremely hesitant to lend the full amount if a property has Japanese knotweed. However, lenders can be persuaded - you just need to take a proactive approach.

We recommend finding a Japanese knotweed removal specialist who offers a knotweed insurance backed guarantee, i.e. a warranty that will safeguard you in the event that the infestation should return after treatment.

If you can demonstrate that appropriate removal measures have been implemented, this will potentially convince mortgage lenders to overlook the fact that you have Japanese knotweed on your property (or at last lead them to be more sympathetic to your situation).

READ MORE: Mortgages & Japanese Knotweed

Don't expect a quick fix

Japanese knotweed control can be a lengthy process - several visits will be required, and a complete course of treatment often takes around three years. If you want to maximise your home's value, you may want to refrain from selling until after your knotweed problem has been eradicated.

That being said, if you really are in a rush to sell your house despite the presence of Japanese knotweed, you may be forced to take a hit on the sale price in exchange for speed of the sale. This might mean that lenders are put off, in which case you'll have to take the cash buyer route; as a result, you could see the sale price drop by up to 20% below market value.

Call the professional

Essentially, if you're serious about selling a house that has Japanese knotweed (and you don't fancy dealing with a lawsuit or slashing your sale price), your best option is to call in the pros and get to the root of the problem.

Here at Total Weed Control, we specialise in Japanese knotweed removal and have over 15 years' experience under our belts. For a long-term solution with an insurance-backed guarantee, Japanese knotweed removal from Total Weed Control is the smart choice for you and your property.

Contact us to request a FREE survey