Are there any methods for removing Japanese Knotweed quickly?
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Carla from London
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Plants and Gardens questions and answers
Question
I need some advice about getting rid of Japanese Knotweed. My home is currently on the market and I’m having trouble selling it because of the presence of Japanese Knotweed in the garden. I need it to be a quick sale as I have found somewhere to move to, but I have already had one buyer pull out because of it and, when I get another buyer, I don’t want the same to happen again. Are there any methods for removing the Japanese Knotweed quickly?
Answer
The most cost effective methods for dealing with Japanese Knotweed involve either a foliar applied herbicide or direct injection of chemical into the plant. Both of these strategies are labour intensive and time consuming with some options needing repeat treatment over a period of three to five years. Whilst cost effective this unfortunately does not help someone looking for a quick sale and a fast solution.
Japanese Knotweed can be excavated and removed from your property ‘instantly’ – but unfortunately due to the extensive root system (2/3m deep and 7 metres in all directions) this can result in huge amounts of material being taken off site and this will be very costly.
An alternative being offered by some of the more experienced contractors is called ‘screening’ where the root and rhizome material is separated from the clean soil thus reducing the amount of material taken off site. Whilst this will not give 100% guarantee of removing every part of the plant it is cheaper than excavation and will reduce the cost. Typically a monitoring contract will be put in place to ensure that any fragments of plant left on site will be chemically treated if there is any re-growth.
Any reputable Japanese Knotweed company should be able to offer insurance backed warranties that will help your sale go through quickly.
Mike Clough
Japanese Knotweed Solutions Ltd
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