My neighbour has knotweed in their garden and I’m afraid of it coming to mine. What can I do about it?
The landowner has a duty of care to stop it spreading to your property. However, resorting to law is often counter productive in our experience. Best to have a friendly word, pointing out the obvious advantages of having it dealt with. Give them our number and we can advise.
Can the sale of my house fall through because knotweed is in my garden?
Unfortunately, yes, sometimes even if it is not in yours but on your neighbouring land. See Mortgage Problems page.
Will pulling it out weaken and then kill it like bindweed?
It will make matters worse, as small pieces of rhizome will break off and start new growth. They were doing this for many years at Buckingham Palace and the knotweed still came back.
I have cut it down, can I compost it?
Please don’t. Composting will not kill Japanese knotweed and fresh growth may generate from green shoots. Dead canes however, do not pose a risk.
Why can’t I kill it myself?
Many people try and then usually end up calling in a specialist. Botched attempts often result in deformed plants with no leaf growth that then are even harder to kill. It is an incredibly hard weed to destroy. The right doses of professional product, at exactly the right time of year, in the right weather conditions, with the proper tools, by someone qualified and experienced gets the job done.
Why do you inject the plant?
This technique is particularly useful as all the chemical is kept within the confines of the stem and therefore no other plants are damaged/killed by the process.
Are the chemicals you use safe?
Yes both to humans and pets, although one is prohibited in certain situations and would only be used under the correct circumstances. This is why a site visit is essential.
How do I know that the treatments have worked?
Unless you were to dig out every last cm of rhizome and have it lab tested, you cannot be 100% certain. However, a sure sign is if it doesn’t come back. We have treated many Parks and Open Spaces, woodlands and houses for London Councils, where there has still been no regrowth over many years.
What if it did come back though?
We have a warranty available whereby we return annually for the course of the gurantee and will treat any regrowth without further charge. This may be useful if you are selling your property and the new owner needs assurances.
I am sure I have knotweed but mine doesn’t look like anything I have seen on the web. How can I tell?
There are many types of knotweed, some have much larger or heart shaped leaves, some are smaller, almost bonsai. We can come and view for you or just send us a photo.
What is the cost of treating knotweed?
Each situation is unique but we will give you a firm competitive quote within 48 hours of the site visit.
Will my good plants and lawn be ruined by your treatments?
They don’t have to be. It depends on the methods used. Injecting causes no collateral damage but other techniques will affect non target flora.
