Introduced in Europe by a botanist by the name of Philipp Von Siebold who first discovered it at a volcano site in the Far East at the start of the 19th century, Japanese Knotweed is one of the most destructive plants of all time with the potential to cause real damage to your home. It’s a plant you wouldn’t wish to see anywhere near your property.
Here are 3 things you should know about knotweed:
- Knotweed Grows Deep And High
This clump-forming perennial plant produces stems which grow as high as 3 meters or more at a very fast rate and can reach the top of your roof gutters within the summer season. Its roots can grow 3 meters deep and can spread up to 7 meters horizontally. The stems above the ground are thick with a bamboo-like appearance and have an initial rare purple speckle color which later turns brown before dying off in the winter season.
knotweed reproduces and spreads off by means of its underground stems known as rhizomes. This plant is able to break through weak sections on a concrete wall and on tarmac and is harmful enough to damage drainage systems, a building’s foundations, and walls.
- Japanese Knotweed Affects Property Sale, Mortgage, And Insurance
If you own a property that is infested with knotweed and are planning to sell it, you’re up for a huge hard task. The attributes of this plant drive realtors away from a property infested by it. Mortgage providers may deny you mortgage for the property or may hold back until they are fully satisfied that the plant is completely eradicated from the land.
In addition to that, Japanese knotweed really reduces the value of the property. Insurance companies do not provide insurance covers for damages on the property sponsored by knotweed.
Having the plant on your compound is no offense but you can be prosecuted if the plant goes beyond your property into your neighbor’s space and causes any kind of damage. You, therefore, need to control it.
- Japanese Knotweed Isn’t Easy To Get Rid Of, You Need A Specialist
Getting rid of knotweed isn’t an easy task. DIY attempts to get rid of the plant always end up being unsuccessful. Cutting the plant repeatedly using a lawnmower will not get rid of it as the roots can spread horizontally up to 7 meters under the ground. Cutting it above the ground is of no effect.
An effective way to get rid of knotweed is to dig it up but you have to dig deep to get to the underground roots. The waste of the plant has to be properly disposed of and this can only be done in a landfill site with a permit and only licensed disposal specialists are allowed to do this.
Another option is using chemicals containing glyphosate to spray on the plant but this may take up to three years to completely eradicate. Bear in mind that chemical treatment is quite expensive to do.
Working with licensed specialists will cut the cost a great deal and will ease the process for you since they have the necessary expertise and equipment to get the job done and completely eradicate the plant.
Conclusion
Is your home in danger of being infested by this destructive plant? Find out today. Here’s a map of knotweed across the UK.
