September 2024

When is the best time to treat Japanese Knotweed?

We are now entering the final throes of Summer and the subsequent end of the Japanese Knotweed herbicide treatment season. If you’re thinking about getting underway with a treatment plan now is the time. Treatments of herbicide over winter and too early next year will either have no effect (as in winter) or could have a negative effect if treated too early. We feel is very beneficial to conduct a herbicide application at this time of year as the plant begins to store energy to cover the winter period and draws in nutrients (or in this case herbicide) this will help begin the degrading process of this invasive plant 

Another important factor to consider is to ensure that when selling a property affected with Japanese Knotweed is to correctly declare its presence. This can be found on the TA6 section of the property information form. Do not try and hide/ mask or incorrectly declare as this can have quite serious consequences on the sale itself as well as significant financial costs. 

Landowners could also face serious consequences for not remediating Japanese Knotweed on their land, as neighbours can potentially lose their properties even if it isn’t growing within their boundary.

Check out this example of a case