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Weed All About It

Japanese Knotweed on BBC One Show

BBC One Show- Japanese Knotweed (logo copyright of BBC)

Last night’s BBC One Show reported about a terrible situation where a couple have discovered Japanese knotweed growing up through the floors in their house, the same story reported in the Daily Mail on the 23rd of October. No doubt some knotweed removal companies will use this as an example that Japanese knotweed can spread under buildings and destroy them, however, this is not the case. The house has been built on top of an infestation of live Japanese knotweed. How can we be sure that the Japanese knotweed did not spread under the building? The Japanese knotweed would spread into the open area of the garden, the path of least resistance, before it would spread under a house. It needs light to survive so why would it spread into the darkness below a house rather than the garden?

It’s good that the BBC are helping raise awareness of Japanese knotweed although it is unfortunate that it is under these circumstances. The family have been so badly affected by this invasive weed that it has made it into mainstream news when it could have been prevented from happening if the developer had appointed a qualified company to rid the site of Japanese knotweed before the house was built.

Also, it would have been good if the BBC had given accurate information about the treatment options for Japanese knotweed, rather than a pessimistic outlook (was it scaremongering?) by saying that it may require digging down 3 to 5 metres to remove the knotweed or a 3 to 5 year herbicide treatment programme. Similarly, when describing the appearance of the Japanese knotweed, it was described as looking like bamboo in October. This year, the knotweed is still in full leaf in October! I know I am being picky but surely it would have been more useful to quickly show some photos of Japanese knotweed to help people recognise it and prevent situations like the one reported from happening in the future.

For expert advice on Japanese knotweed, Giant hogweed and all other weeds,call Scotland’s premier weed control specialists, Invasive Weeds Agency Ltd, on 0845 676 9252 or email us here

How to Kill Japanese Knotweed

Japanese Knotweed Eradication

We are regularly asked how to kill Japanese knotweed because we have a long record of doing so on sites across Scotland (Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness etc.). Some people, however, believe that it is impossible to kill this invasive weed due to its rhizomes. Others simply fear Japanese knotweed and have no basis for their view that it is impossible to kill. This attitude highlights the problem with Japanese knotweed and how to deal with it. An example of the confusion surrounding Japanese knotweed can be found in this Daily Mail article. The answer to the problem is education. Invasive Weeds Agency Ltd offer educated advice on Japanese knotweed in order to save people time and money when faced with this weed. By raising awareness of this weed, we can help people to take measures to prevent it from spreading. You could save thousands of pounds by not cutting it down and attempting to compost it which may spread the weed. Similarly, by restricting access to the Japanese knotweed you could prevent it being spread across the site or onto neighbouring land thus saving you large remediation costs.

There are many people offering Japanese knotweed eradication in the UK, however, some of them have never killed any Japanese knotweed yet they claim to be experts on the subject. As a result, they mislead people and fail to completely eradicate the Japanese knotweed they are treating which perpetuates the myth that it is impossible to kill. The same people offer courses and seminars that paying customers can attend to learn about tackling the problem of Japanese knotweed. The presentations offered are nothing more than long sales pitches, favouring one method over another in order to maximise the company’s profits at the expense of the customer.

So, how do you kill Japanese knotweed? By arming yourself with knowledge of the plant and the treatment options available. Also, you have to ask yourself, do I really need to kill it or simply remove it?

If you are unsure of the best method for ridding your land of Japanese knotweed, or you just need some advice, you can email us here.

For expert advice on Japanese knotweed, Giant hogweed and all other weeds,call Scotland’s premier weed control specialists, Invasive Weeds Agency Ltd, on 0845 676 9252 or email us here.

IWA. Getting to the root of the problem.

Scotland’s biggest Japanese knotweed stem injection project

Japanese knotweed in Castle Douglas

For the past few weeks, Invasive Weeds Agency Ltd has been undertaking a control programme of Japanese knotweed near Castle Douglas in the South-West of Scotland using stem injection in what appears to be the largest project of this kind in the country.

The stem injection method involves using a device similar to a syringe in order to inject the herbicide directly into the stem of Japanese knotweed. This method is very effective at controlling Japanese knotweed, however, it is more labour intensive than herbicide spraying. Also, there are areas where it is not appropriate to use stem injection due to health and safety risks to the operator, such as when working close the water’s edge or on a very steep slope. Stem injection is of particular value when Japanese knotweed is growing amongst more desirable plants where there is a risk that herbicide spraying may have a negative impact on the plants surrounding the Japanese knotweed. The stem injection method is also useful as a follow-up to herbicide spray treatment of large areas in order to tackle any plants missed or ones that have not been affected by the spray treatment.

We will not be replacing herbicide spraying with stem injection as we believe that it is important to assess the best method for every individual site. Stem injection is useful for some sites and not for others, as is the case for spraying, digging etc.

For expert advice on Japanese knotweed, Giant hogweed and all other weeds,call Scotland’s premier weed control specialists, Invasive Weeds Agency Ltd, on 0845 676 9252 or email us here.

IWA. Getting to the root of the problem.

Japanese Knotweed Experts Making Waves

Japanese knotweed eradication continues in Scotland

Invasive Weeds Agency Ltd are making waves as Scotland’s leading Japanese knotweed experts after securing two prestigious contracts on Scottish waterways. After successfully completing work on Ayrshire’s rivers, Invasive Weeds Agency Ltd will shortly commence eradication of Japanese knotweed, giant hogweed and rhododendron in both Galloway and Argyll as part of the EU funded project to tackle non-native invasive species. Treatment will be split between herbicide spraying and stem injection.

For expert advice on Japanese knotweed, giant hogweed and all other weeds, call Scotland’s premier weed control specialists, Invasive Weeds Agency Ltd, on 0845 676 9252 or email us here.

IWA. Getting to the root of the problem.

Japanese knotweed grows over 1.5m tall in 1 month

Japanese knotweed Glasgow April 2011

Scotland continues to be plagued by Japanese knotweed, which, due to the warm weather, is growing at an incredible rate. The pictures below show a site in Glasgow where the Japanese knotweed has grown over 1.5 metres tall in 1 month!

You may, so what?

The problem with Japanese knotweed growing so quickly becomes a factor when this weed is spread across a site by accident. We visit many sites where people have unknowingly disturbed Japanese knotweed and as a result have increased the size of an infestation considerably which results in greater remediation costs. We urge you to learn how to identify this and other weeds as it may save you time and money. Our website has further information and our Facebook page has more pictures.

Japanese knotweed Glasgow May 2011

If your land is plagued by Japanese knotweed or any other highly invasive weeds such as giant hogweed, Himalayan balsam or horsetail then please contact us for advice on how to deal with them.

With offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Castle Douglas and County Durham, we offer a nationwide service to eradicate invasive weeds so no site is too far for us to visit.

For expert advice on Japanese knotweed, giant hogweed and all other weeds, call Scotland’s premier weed control specialists, Invasive Weeds Agency Ltd, on 0131 441 2953 or email us here.

IWA. Getting to the root of the problem.

IWA Awarded Prestigious Giant Hogweed Contract

Giant Hogweed in Scotland

We are proud to announce that Invasive Weeds Agency Limited has been awarded a prestigious contract for controlling giant hogweed on the Ayrshire rivers as part of the CIRB (Controlling invasive priority non-native species and restoring native biodiversity) Project. The EU funded project will run for 3 years within which time we aim to dramatically reduce the vigour of giant hogweed on the river banks which will allow greater access for the public as well as improving native biodiversity.

If you discover Giant hogweed on your land

DO NOT TOUCH IT BECAUSE IT CAN BURN YOU!

More details here.

For assistance with its removal or any other invasive weeds (Japanese knotweed, Horsetail, Himalayan balsam, etc.) or if you require ecology services, please call Invasive Weeds Agency Ltd on 0131 441 2953 or email us here.

IWA. Getting to the root of the problem.

Spring Brings More Japanese Knotweed and Giant Hogweed

Young Japanese knotweed, Glasgow

Spring has begun!

So, across the UK, Japanese knotweed and giant hogweed are starting to appear. If you suspect that you have either of these weeds growing on your land then now is the time to do something about them.

If left untreated, these weeds will spread and may cause damage and a nuisance to you and your neighbours. Your property’s value will be negatively affected by the presence of these non-native species so it really is a case of dealing with them before they become unmanageable and the costs get too high.

For expert advice on Japanese knotweed, giant hogweed and all other weeds, call the experts, Invasive Weeds Agency Ltd, on 0131 441 2953 or email us here.

IWA. Getting to the root of the problem.

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Japanese Knotweed in Home Report Stops Sale of Property

Japanese knotweed, Spring 2011

Every week we are hearing from people in Scotland who are struggling to sell their properties because of Japanese knotweed. Mortgage companies are reluctant to lend money to the purchasers for fear of the property being affected by this highly invasive weed.

So, what can be done to help with the sale of a property where Japanese knotweed is present? Invasive Weeds Agency Ltd (IWA) has the answer:

1. Survey: Invasive Weeds Agency Ltd will survey the infested area and its surroundings and then produce a report of their findings, detailing options for treatment.

2.Treatment: The Japanese knotweed will be treated using the most appropriate method, taking into consideration location, time-scales, cost, etc.

3. Validation: At the end of the treatment, samples of the Japanese knotweed will be taken and tested for viability. Once it is confirmed to be dead we will issue our warranty.

4. Warranty: The insurance backed-warranty will run for 5 years with the option of extending this to 10 years. Please contact us for full details.

If you discover Japanese knotweed on your land and need assistance with its removal or any other invasive weeds (Horsetail, Himalayan balsam, Giant hogweed, etc.) or if you require ecology services, please call Invasive Weeds Agency Ltd on 0131 441 2953 or email us here.

IWA. Getting to the root of the problem.

More Japanese knotweed in Glasgow

Japanese knotweed Glasgow As spring struggles to appear, Britain’s most notorious weed is having few difficulties in emerging to produce its young, red leaves. Glasgow as well as other Scottish cities (Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee) is plagued by this invasive weed. We have successfully eradicated Japanese knotweed on many sites across Scotland and have an unrivalled knowledge of the weeds we eradicate. We are proud to rid sites of Japanese knotweed, giant hogweed and Himalayan balsam in 2011 and beyond.

With a variety of treatment methods available, including herbicide spraying, stem injection, encapsulation and removal, we aim to deliver the best method to suit our clients’ requirements.

Our insurance-backed warranty provides peace of mind and shows our dedication to providing the best service possible. We offer 5 years as standard with the option of increasing this to 10 years.

People of Glasgow, and anywhere else in the UK, Japanese knotweed, giant hogweed, Himalayan balsam and other invasive weeds should be dealt with in order to improve our environment.

Call the Japanese knotweed experts- Invasive Weeds Agency Ltd on 0131 441 2953 or email us here.

More info on invasive weeds can be found on our website and Facebook page.

IWA. Getting to the root of the problem.

Invasive Weeds Agency Appoints North England Manager

Japanese knotweed treatment Invasive Weeds Agency Ltd are delighted to announce the arrival of a new employee, Lee Abbott. Lee has 15 years of experience in the construction industry and an extensive knowledge of invasive weed removal. Lee will be in charge of operations for IWA in the north of England.

As our company grows, we aim to deliver our services to a wider area in order to protect the environment from non-native invasive species such as Japanese knotweed.

For Japanese knotweed eradication or control of any other invasive weeds (Horsetail, Himalayan balsam, Giant hogweed, etc.) or if you require ecology services, please call Invasive Weeds Agency Ltd on 0131 441 2953 or email us here.

More info on invasive weeds can be found on our website and Facebook page.

IWA. Getting to the root of the problem.