About Us

As an accredited member of the Property Care Association (PCA), Japanese Knotweed Specialists has over 17 years of expertise in removing Japanese Knotweed.

We offer comprehensive services that effectively deal with this invasive plant for private landowners, homeowners, construction companies, developers, and businesses throughout London.

Why Choose Us?

Experience

With over 17 years of experience in the industry, we have successfully treated hundreds of residential and commercial properties. Our specialist control services include excavation, chemical control, and root barriers.

Accreditation

As an accredited member of the Property Care Association (PCA), we follow the PCA code of practice for Japanese knotweed removal. Our services come with the option of a 10-year insurance-backed guarantee, giving you peace of mind.

Greater London Coverage

We operate throughout greater London, bringing our expertise to your doorstep. Our management plans include herbicide treatment plans and removal methods tailored to your specific needs. Our satisfied customers have given us a 5-star rating online.

What is Japanese Knotweed?

Japanese Knotweed is a highly invasive plant species that was introduced to Europe in the mid-nineteenth century as an ornamental and fodder plant. It is a rhizomatous perennial that can grow up to 2-3 metres tall and spread rapidly, forming dense monoculture stands.

The plant’s roots can extend up to 3 metres below the surface and up to 7 metres in all directions from visible above ground growth. Japanese Knotweed can grow up to 10cm per day, making it a significant threat to the environment.

The plant spreads through the dispersal of rhizomes and freshly cut stems. One of the major causes of the spread of Japanese Knotweed is fly tipping and the movement of soil containing the plant.

It is important to note that Japanese Knotweed is classified as an invasive species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and it is illegal to plant or cause it to grow in the wild. If you have a knotweed infestation on your property, you must take action to control it, or you could face a fine.

Removing Japanese Knotweed can be challenging as even small fragments of the plant can regrow. It is best to seek professional help to manage a knotweed infestation and avoid causing further stress to the environment.

Japanese Knotweed Characteristics

Japanese Knotweed has heart-shaped leaves, hollow stems that resemble bamboo, and clusters of small white flowers that bloom in late summer.

Japanese Knotweed Flowers:

Cream white in colour, 0.5cm wide, forms clustered panicles that can grow to 10cm. Blooms in late summer (August/September)

Japanese Knotweed Stem:

Grows in a zig-zag pattern, green with purple and red speckles, hollow and grows to 2-3 metres in height.

Japanese Knotweed Roots (Rhizomes):

Outside is dark brown, inside is orange/yellow. Can grow up to three metres deep and between 2 to 7 metres horizontally, depending on soil conditions and maturity of the knotweed.

Growth Rate

One of the fastest-growing invasive plants, it can grow up to 10 cm per day during its peak growing season.

Impact on Property and Environment in London

Property Damage: The strong roots can exploit cracks in concrete, tarmac, and brickwork, causing structural damage to buildings, roads, and walls.

Environmental Harm: Japanese Knotweed outcompetes native vegetation, leading to reduced biodiversity. Its dense growth can also contribute to riverbank erosion.

Health Risks of Japanese Knotweed in London

While not directly harmful to humans, the plant can attract pests like ticks especially in the forestry environment, which may carry Lyme disease.

Legal Implications of having Japanese Knotweed

It is illegal to allow Japanese Knotweed to spread from your property, and failure to manage it can result in legal action.

Why is it Difficult to Eradicate?

Resilience: A small fragment of the root can regenerate into a new plant, making it extremely resilient.

Depth of Roots: The deep-rooted nature of the plant means that simple methods like cutting or pulling are ineffective in the long term.

Understanding the complexities of Japanese Knotweed is the first step in its effective management and eradication. Our specialised services are designed to tackle this invasive plant comprehensively.

Identifying Japanese Knotweed

Japanese Knotweed (Reynoutria japonica, formerly Fallopia japonica), is an invasive plant species that has become a significant issue in Glasgow and throughout the UK. Identifying this plant is crucial as early detection can help prevent its spread and reduce the cost of removal.

The first characteristic to look for when identifying Japanese Knotweed is the stems. These are hollow, bamboo-like, and can reach up to 3 metres in height. They typically have a reddish-brown tint and feature nodes along the length of the stem.

The leaves of the Japanese Knotweed are also a key identifier. They are heart or spade-shaped, and usually grow in a zig-zag pattern along the stems. The leaves can be about 10-16 cm long and have a smooth edge. In spring, the plant produces small white or cream-coloured flowers, which later give way to clusters of seeds.

Here are a few common identifiers in a summary:

Stems: Hollow, bamboo-like, reddish-brown

Leaves: Heart or spade-shaped, smooth edge, zig-zag pattern

Flowers: Small, white or cream coloured (late summer)

Seeds: Clusters formed from flowers

Our Japanese Knotweed Removal Process

Initial Survey: Our experts will conduct an in-depth survey of your property to assess the extent of the Japanese Knotweed infestation.

Management Options: Based on the survey, we will create a tailored Knotweed Management Plan (KMP), which may include herbicide treatment, stem injection, or excavation & removal

Implementation: Our team will carry out the treatment as per the plan, ensuring the complete and effective management of the invasive plant.

Legal Aspects and Insurance

When tackling Japanese Knotweed, it is important to consider both legal aspects and insurance. As property owners, we must take responsibility for the presence of this invasive species on our land. Failure to control the spread of Japanese Knotweed can result in legal action against us, as it can damage both neighbouring properties and the local ecosystem.

Many mortgage lenders require evidence of professional treatment before approving a loan for a property affected by Japanese Knotweed. The Property Care Association (PCA) is the primary body overseeing the management and control of the invasive plant in the UK. We should ensure any treatment plans and removal services employed are PCA-approved, to meet the requirements set by mortgage lenders.

Insurance Backed Guarantees (IBG) are often available for professional Japanese Knotweed removal services. IBG’S provide additional security in case the knotweed contractor ceases to trade during the guarantee period where the insurance company would appoint a new contractor or refund the cost of the management plan minus a small excess. When selecting a Knotweed contractor, it is advisable to ensure that they can offer an IBG, as this would meet the expectations of most UK mortgage lenders.

Costs and Guarantees

When it comes to Japanese Knotweed removal in London, we understand that cost is a significant factor for our clients. The total cost of removal can vary depending on factors such as the size of the infestation, location, and the management option chosen.

The prices for our long-term herbicide treatment programmes which include a 10-year transferable guarantee period typically range from £1,700 plus VAT for small infestations up to £5,000 plus VAT for larger infestations and in rare circumstances it may exceed this amount depending on the size of the infestation. We recommend contacting us for a more accurate quote tailored to your specific situation.

In addition to competitive pricing, we believe in providing guarantees for our work. Our guarantees cover the treatment and removal process for 10 years, ensuring that our clients can have peace of mind once the Japanese Knotweed has been successfully managed.

As well as offering guarantees, we also provide insurance backed guarantees for additional protection. Our company warranty covers any potential regrowth of Japanese Knotweed during the guarantee period. This means that in the unlikely event of regrowth following completion, we will carry out additional treatments at no extra cost to you

Aftercare and Long-Term Management

After successful management of Japanese Knotweed, it is essential to put in place a proper aftercare and long-term management plan to prevent its recurrence. We believe in providing our clients with comprehensive guidance on how to maintain the cleared areas effectively.

Following the removal process, we recommend consistent monitoring of the site for at least two consecutive growing seasons. Regular inspections help identify any new growth, allowing for prompt action to be taken before the knotweed can spread. Keeping well-maintained records of each inspection is useful in assessing the success of the treatment plan.

Implementing a management plan tailored to the site’s specific characteristics is crucial. This plan should include strategies for vegetation control, soil management, and habitat restoration when necessary.

Japanese Knotweed Management Options:

Herbicide Treatment

Herbicide treatment is recommended where the knotweed lies in a location where it won’t be disturbed for the duration of the treatment programme. Herbicide treatment is the most cost-effective option however achieving complete eradication can be difficult.

Even after years of herbicide treatment, it is impossible to verify with a one hundred percent certainty that all rhizome has been killed as temporary dormancy may have been induced. Dormancy can be broken by ground disturbance which can cause the plant to re-awaken and grow again. This situation should be avoided on construction and development sites due to the risks spreading the rhizome, causing regrowth and further Japanese Knotweed spread.

Full Excavation, Removal & Disposal

Excavation provides instant eradication of the Japanese knotweed  by mechanically excavating the Japanese knotweed and the soil in which it is growing and taking the spoil to a licenced landfill site. Following the environment agency guidelines, the excavation area can extend up to a depth of 3 metres below ground level and extend out to 7 metres from any Japanese knotweed visible above ground.

This option attracts costs from the excavation of large quantities of contaminated soil to be transported in 8-wheel tipper or grab lorries and consigned to a licensed landfill site for disposal. Licensed landfill sites are required because material containing Japanese knotweed is treated as controlled waste.

Hybrid Treatment & Excavation in London

This method that combines herbicide treatment with crown, root & rhizome removal. By applying herbicide treatment in the growing season, we reduce the viability of the plant’s rhizomes and by removing the bulk of the crowns and rhizome system by hand excavation we reduce the plant’s vigor and stimulate growth of any small pieces of remaining rhizome that are effectively destroyed by further herbicide treatment.

This option is less expensive than full excavation and more effective than herbicide treatment alone, it gives you a combination of both methods and is a popular control option for homeowners where there is no access for plant and machinery to complete full mechanical excavation.

Can you mortgage a house with Japanese knotweed?

Most UK mortgage lenders will lend on a property directly or indirectly affected with Japanese Knotweed subject to a suitable long term management plan which comes with the added security of a 10-year insurance backed guarantee. Mortgage companies and valuers take several factors into consideration such as damage, loss of amenity within a boundary, the extent of the knotweed infestation.

 Contact Us

For more information or to book a Japanese Knotweed survey in London, please call us at 0800 038 7108 or 07900082338.