The nationwide biological menace costing councils and homeowners millions of pounds a year

What can you do if you discover the dreaded Japanese Knotweed?

Despite what many believe, it is not illegal to have Japanese Knotweed in your garden in the UK, but it is classified as a "controlled waste" under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which means the removal process must adhere to specific guidelines. 

Technically it is not illegal to have it growing on your property until the moment it is discovered or reported. After which you have a legal responsibility to prevent it from spreading to other properties. You may also be liable for any damage caused to neighboring properties if the knotweed spreads.

Although it is HIGHLY discouraged, it's technically not illegal to remove it yourself as long as you do it right! 

Japanese Knotweed is one of the most invasive plant species known to man, which can be difficult to near impossible to remove and contain. There are several ways to deal with it, but the most effective methods depend on the severity of the infestation and the location of the plant. Here are some options:

1. Chemical treatment: To use strong herbicides on the plant over several years to hinder and eventually kill it off. This is the standard industry procedure for it's removal, but it requires careful and continued application and observation to avoid damaging other plants and wildlife.

2. Digging: If the knotweed is in a small area, digging it up and removing it can work. However, this method can be hard work and you must dispose of all plant material properly to prevent it from spreading.

3. Covering the area: Covering the knotweed with a tarp or other type of cover that stops it from getting sunlight, can weaken and eventually kill it. This method is best used with other control methods. Never build any kind of permanent structure over the knotweed as it is not garuanteed to kill it. Even if the area has been controlled, it is advised to wait a few years before even considering this, as the plant may still come back.

4. Biological control: This means using natural consumers of the knotweed, such as insects or fungi, to control its growth. These are what keep the plant under control in its native Japan, but they don't yet exist in the UK and how their introduction may effect our eco-system has not yet been conclusively researched. 

It's important to note that Japanese Knotweed is a controlled plant species in many places, and it's against the law to dispose of it as you would common waste. Before attempting to control Japanese Knotweed, it's always advised to speak with a professional. You can also inform your local authorities if the knotweed is spreading to council land. It is in their best interest, as well as everybody around you, to keep it under control!

 

Can you burn Japanese knotweed? 

It's not recommended to burn Japanese Knotweed because burning the plant can actually spread the plant's rhizomes, which are underground stems that can produce new shoots and start new infestations. Burning can also release harmful chemicals into the air, and the plant's hollow stems can act like chimneys and spread embers, potentially causing fires. Therefore, burning Japanese Knotweed is not a safe or effective method of control and should be avoided.

Burning the roots out of Japanese Knotweed won't work either. The rhizomes (roots) can be very deep and extensive, making it difficult to completely burn them. Even if you manage to burn the top layer of soil where the rhizomes are located, it's unlikely that the fire will reach the deeper layers where the rhizomes may still be alive.

 

Additionally, Japanese Knotweed is classified as controlled waste in the UK, and it's illegal to burn it or dispose of it in household waste. Instead, it should be disposed of at a licensed landfill or incineration facility.