OUR
SERVICES

ADVICE

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We believe that education is vital in the fight against invasive weeds. For that reason we are happy to offer advice free of charge.

If you have any queries regarding invasive weeds then please contact us by phone on 0845 676 9252 or by email at info@invasiveweedsagency.co.uk or use the contact form on this website.

SURVEYS

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A professional site survey is an integral part of the treatment programme for controlling invasive weeds.

Our team provide comprehensive site surveys which identify the extent of the invasive weed infestation, the potential impact on the environment and the intended use of the site.

We feel that the problem of invasive weeds needs to be tackled swiftly and effectively to protect both the environment and the individual’s legal obligation. For those reasons we do not charge for invasive weed surveys.

We are more than happy to survey land during the acquisition stages to enable a quick response to treat any invasive weeds present and so the costs associated with treating the invasive weeds are considered before the completion of purchase.

PROPOSALS

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We issue a proposal document after we have completed a site survey. The proposal details our findings from the survey and lists the options for controlling the invasive weeds present on site.

Often there are several treatment options available, each with different timescales for completion and different prices.

LICENCE APPLICATIONS

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On behalf of our clients we will complete all licence applications necessary for the treatment of invasive weeds.

MONITORING

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Once the application stages of the herbicidal treatment programme are complete a monitoring period begins to ensure that eradication has taken place. Rhizome samples are taken and tested for signs of growth activity.

SUPERVISING

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We can provide our trained staff to supervise site work which is in close proximity to invasive weed infestations. This can help stop the spread of invasive weeds prior to and during a treatment programme.

Also, there are times where it is more economical and practical for excavation work of invasive weeds to be undetaken by our client using their own operatives and machinery. We can provide supervision of these works to reduce the vast quantity of soil to be removed. Our supervision can help reduce costs and minimise the impact on the environment.

TRAINING

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From on-site toolbox talks to seminars, we are proud to share our knowledge of non-native invasive weeds and how to correctly manage them cost-effectively wherever they may occur. We can offer Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points to those attending our training. Please contact our team for further information.

WARRANTY

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We offer a warranty for Japanese knotweed eradication to give our clients reassurance that we have completed our programme of works successfully. The warranty can be applied to any of the other weeds we treat (giant hogweed, Himalayan balsam etc.). The warranty will cover the cost of further treatment and repairs to property in the unlikely event that re-infestation occurs. Further details can be found on our here.

HERBICIDE TREATMENT

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There are two options for treatment 'Premier' and 'Standard'.

PREMIER TREATMENT

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Premier treatment employs a herbicide that is extremely effective in eradicating Japanese knotweed and other perennial herbs. Eradication can be achieved in one growing season. However, this herbicide is not approved for use near water and if used carelessly can compromise surrounding woody vegetation.

STANDARD TREATMENT

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Standard treatment employs a herbicide that will eradicate Japanese knotweed and but requires two or more growing seasons to achieve this. This treatment is very effective against other weeds such as Giant hogweed and Himalayan balsam. These herbicides are approved for use near water, subject to obtaining a licence from the environmental regulator- SEPA in Scotland, EA in England and NIEA in Northern Ireland.

The cost of herbicide treatment is considerably lower than the cost of excavation and removal of the Japanese knotweed from site.

Herbicide treatment is the most environmentally friendly method of eradication.

STEM INJECTION

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The treatment of Japanese knotweed using stem injection reduces the risk of non-target plants being affected by herbicide whilst ensuring that the Japanese knotweed receives the appropriate dose of herbicide. A translocated herbicide is injected into the stem which results in stopping the plant from photosynthesizing.

This method is very time consuming because herbicide must be injected into each stem. To complete eradication it will take 2 to 3 years of treatment. This method is best suited to infestations around the base of trees.

COMBINATION TREATMENT

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This method is used to remove Japanese knotweed from one area and relocate it on site. The infestation will be mechanically excavated, moved and then spread out to a maximum depth of 500mm. The stockpile will be treated with herbicides.

This method is a cost-effective alternative to disposing of Japanese knotweed to landfill.

EXCAVATION AND ENCAPSULATION

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Contaminated material is excavated and buried on site at a depth of 5m. The excavated soil is wrapped in a specialist membrane at a depth that will ensure that it is not disturbed by site activity. In large commercial sites it is often an option to encapsulate and bury the material in a location proposed for car parks.

EXCAVATION AND REMOVAL (DIG AND DUMP)

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This method involves mechanically excavating the Japanese knotweed and the soil in which it is growing and taking the spoil to a licensed landfill site. Following the Environment Agency’s guidelines, the excavation must be to a depth of 3 metres and extend 7 metres from any Japanese knotweed present above the ground.

This option attracts costs from excavation of the contaminated material, transport to landfill and the cost of placing it in landfill. Licensed landfill sites are required because material containing Japanese knotweed is treated as contaminated waste.

SIFTING

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The Japanese knotweed is mechanically excavated and put through a specially designed machine that will separate the weed from the soil. The Japanese knotweed is removed and disposed of at a licensed landfill site. The soil can be re-used on site. This method drastically reduces the amount of material to be disposed of therefore keeping the cost lower than the traditional 'Dig and Dump' method.

INCINERATION

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There are two options:
Incinerate dead Japanese knotweed canes only. This will reduce the visual impact of the infestation. It will not kill the Japanese knotweed present in the soil.

Excavate the Japanese knotweed and burn all of it (stems, rhizomes, etc.). This method may require a lot of time and machinery meaning that cost of operation may be much higher than cost herbicide treatment. It should cost less than ‘Dig and Dump’ and it should have less impact on the environment too.