UK’s worst Japanese knotweed hotspots revealed – is your area one of them?

The UK is being invaded by Japanese knotweed, a noxious weed that is spreading across the country. Some areas have been hit harder than others as gardeners continue to fight back

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Japanese Knotweed: How to Identify Invasive Species

Tens of thousands of Britons across the country are currently studying Japanese knotweed.

This notorious weed can cause property damage and even prevent other plants from growing in the garden.

It doesn’t help that they spread quickly and grow large, making an affected area unsightly and difficult to manage.

Many will try to control them themselves, but for most it’s of little use as the weeds are just too stubborn.

It’s best to understand where the worst-hit areas are so you can help protect your land from a costly weed invasion.

The following data is from Environetuk.com.

What is the Japanese knotweed?

Japanese knotweed is a weed that grows quickly and spreads quickly over an area.

The plant is thick and grows deep underground, making it difficult to remove.

It also suppresses the growth of other nearby plants, which not only decimates gardens but can also cause structural damage to homes.

What are the worst affected areas in the UK?

According to Environet, the UK’s most affected locations are:

• Bolton, Greater Manchester – 684 infested
• Bristol – 475 infested
• St Helens, Merseyside – 441 infestation
• Blackburn, Lancashire – 407 infestation
• Capel Garmon, Snowdonia, Wales – 398 infested
• Llanelli, South Wales – 389 infested
• Cardiff, Wales – 361 infested
• Rotherham, Yorkshire – 306 infested
• Streatham, South West London – 300 infestations
• 4km radius in Nottingham – 225 infestations
• Sheffield – 225 infestations

How to get rid of Japanese knotweed

Japanese knotweed is known to be incredibly difficult to remove completely because its roots grow so deep.

Unfortunately, most home improvement solutions don’t work because store-bought garden chemicals just aren’t strong enough to remove the rot.

However, you can still try it yourself by first cutting the rods as close to the ground as possible.

Then apply glyphosate-based weed killer, making sure to only spray the knotweed to avoid damage to your other plants.

Wait seven days before pulling the weeds out of the ground to allow the herbicide to work deep down.

Then continue to mow the area weekly while you reapply the glyphosate.

If you have a severe case of Japanese knotweed damaging your property, it’s best to seek professional help.

Local services are plentiful as any gardening company should have the tools and chemicals needed to kill weeds.