KNOTWEED DO’S & DON’TS FOR HOMEOWNERS…
Japanese knotweed experts provide some really useful tips on what to do (and not do) if you encounter knotweed in your garden, and how to soften the blow of finding knotweed with a ‘neighbour’s discount’.
Do:
- Arrange for a professional survey of your property to have the suspect knotweed confirmed. Contact a professional knotweed contractor such as Japanese Knotweed Ltd.
- Implement measures to stop it spreading – avoid digging or moving plants in the knotweed area. If possible cordon the area off.
- Commence treatment or removal of Japanese knotweed as soon as possible after discovering its presence. This should come with a Knotweed Management Plan (KMP) – especially useful if you’re planning to sell.
- Speak to neighbours – ask if they have it in their property as well. Some knotweed contractors offer a discount for neighbours who deal with knotweed together. This makes sense because all of the knotweed on and near your property will be gone for good.
Don’t:
- Disturb the ground in any way.
- Start any building projects that involve digging near the knotweed locations.
- Allow knotweed material to leave your property intentionally or unintentionally in a manner that will contravene the Environmental Protection Act and the Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations.
- Allow Japanese knotweed to spread into adjacent properties, as this could contravene legislation and private nuisance laws leaving you vulnerable to third party litigation from your neighbour(s).
- Flail or strim knotweed, as this will cause the Japanese knotweed to spread.
- Store materials on top of Japanese knotweed areas, or the materials themselves could become contaminated with knotweed.
- Chip Japanese knotweed material, as mechanical chippers do not kill the plant and could result in new Japanese knotweed growth wherever the chipped material is spread.
- Add Japanese knotweed to compost, as this can lead to knotweed growing in your compost heap.
- Burn Japanese knotweed as a sole means of treatment as large rhizome and crowns can survive burning.
- Bin Japanese knotweed (in household green waste bins).
- Take Japanese knotweed to landfill.
Dispose of Japanese knotweed material in the wild.
