The next step

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Invasive species growth explosion

Rain, rain go away

You might have noticed that it hasn’t stopped raining for the past few months. It’s encouraged the growth of certain invasive species of plant that can cause damage to properties. One of the biggest problem species is Japanese knotweed, an ornamental plant that was introduced in Britain back in the 19^th century (see The next step). It has become widespread in a range of habitats, particularly along roadsides, riverbanks and between buildings.

Note. Whilst it’s not illegal to have Japanese knotweed on your land, it is illegal to allow it to spread in the wild (by virtue of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981).

Do you have knotweed?

Have a look at the types of wild plant or weed on your premises. Japanese knotweed is a lush green colour, has shovel-shaped leaves and its stem looks like bamboo. In the autumn it produces white flowers. The main problem is that it grows fast - sometimes at around 10cm a day, meaning it’s not something that can be ignored.

Tip. If you’ve had knotweed on your property before, because of the recent rain, it’s worth checking any areas in which it’s grown before as it does have a tendency to come back.

What’s the problem?

Japanese knotweed is deceptive. It may look like you have a fairly small amount, but the plant’s roots can stretch for several metres underground. In its quest for water and light, the plant will exploit any weakness in the fabric of a building, for example, expansion joints in concrete, cavity walls, asphalt, broken mortar between paving slabs or bricks. It can also damage drains and sewers. Whilst structural damage is rare in most residential situations, if left unchecked a mature infestation of Japanese knotweed can cause problems.

Tip. If you suspect you have Japanese knotweed on your property, get an expert to assess the situation as soon as possible. Don’t just hope that it will die off on its own. The longer you ignore it, the more expensive the remediation.

What can you do?

Tip 1. The best option is to employ the services of a contractor. Going down the DIY route is fraught with risk. For a start, you may not remove all of the plant. If you use herbicides, you could cause pollution and create health and safety issues. Finally, as the product is classified as “controlled waste” you need to ensure that it’s disposed of legally.

Tip 2. There isn’t a national register of competent contractors; however, a search on the Internet will give you plenty of options.

Tip 3. Although this isn’t a specific legal requirement, if you employ a contractor who uses herbicides, the Environment Agency recommends that they hold a Certificate of Competence issued by the National Proficiency Test Council.

For further information on dealing with Japanese knotweed, visit http://tipsandadvice-environment.co.uk/download (EN 07.09.07).