What is Japanese Knotweed? Of all the unwanted weeds that grow within your garden space, Japanese Knotweed is one of the most invasive garden weeds and resilient pest that requires a special measure of work to remove. When left alone, it can spread and be one of the toughest pests that can cause unlimited damage to your garden or business premise grounds.
Tough and Resilient
Japanese Knotweed is not something you should ignore. Their roots can grow to a depth of 2 meters, stretching out horizontally to an extension of 7 meters wide. The root systems can grow new Japanese Knotweed plants independently also.
Herbicides can control the weed growth and kill it on the surface into a dormant state, but the real impact of Japanese Knotweed comes with what is deep underground. This deeper Knotweed is highly resilient and can re-grow when the contaminated ground is disturbed. Japanese Knotweed can cause a lot of damage and lower your property value, which is why it is important to identify it early and take action with a licenced Japanese Knotweed removal company.
Associated Risks
The dangers of Japanese Knotweed in the UK date back to the beginning of the 20th century, yet it was as late as 1981 that the British Government produced legislation to specifically control its sale and spread.
Knotweed contamination is so invasive that it requires specialised measures in treatment, extraction and disposal. The presence of Japanese knotweed places restrictions on the use of land and property, with thick and tall clumps impeding access and use. The ground area affected by knotweed is greater than the visible above-ground extent, with the underground stems (known as rhizomes) spreading out both vertically and horizontally from above.
The rhizome-bearing soils should not be disturbed for fear of the plant growing even further. Knotweed requires disturbance to live and thrive, which means severe restrictions on the free unimpeded use of the property.
Menace From Across the Sea
Japanese Knotweed only began to greatly affect the world when it was removed from its native environment in Asia. Back in its home turf, it was kept in check naturally with upwards of 30 insects and 6 fungus species feeding on the plant.
These species of insect and fungus do not exist in other countries and that allowed the plant to spread in growth without a natural predator. Trials were conducted using other local insect species to see if they would feed off of knotweed, but these trials have been inconclusive during this time. Even with these insects feeding off of the visible part of the plant, human intervention is required to handle the contaminated soil.
With your knowledge of the dangers of Japanese Knotweed for your property, you can identify it early and contact a Japanese knotweed expert when you have concerns about its effects on your property.
Contact S4JK today to request a Japanese knotweed survey and keep your pest plant under control.
