Home and landowners shiver when they hear the words 'Japanese knotweed'. In Britain, around 4% of homes are affected, and it's never good new!
From damaging gardens, to diminution in property value, Japanese knotweed can be a huge problem, but what about Bohemian knotweed, is it as dangerous and invasive?
Stuart Marshall shared his experience with the Mail Online - here's what you need to know.
Knotweed - a homeowner's nightmare
In the spring of 2020, Stuart Marshall inherited much more than just a house in Aylesbury, for in the garden of the property lurked an invasive intruder. Not knowing its true identity, Stuart attempted to remove the garden 'invader' himself - Sadly, as with all species of knotweed, most DIY removal efforts result in spreading the knotweed even further, and worsening the infestation. And where invasive plants are concerned, it's so important to know 'vine' enemy! (pardon the pun!)
What is Bohemian knotweed?
Bohemian knotweed (Fallopia Bohemica) is a non-native plant. A hybrid of Japanese and Giant knotweed varieties, shockingly it is even more aggressive and therefore invasive than both parent species.
Japanese vs Bohemian knotweed
Japanese and Bohemian knotweed share many similarities. Their rhizome (root) can grow through concrete, drains, and bricks and mortar. But here is how they differ:
- Bohemian leaves are bigger than those of Japanese knotweed;
- Flower are green/white;
- Bohemian knotweed can spread much quicker and over a larger area.
How do you eradicate Bohemian knotweed?
More often than not, trying to remove and infestation of knotweed yourself is a bad idea. As we have said on countless occasions, most DIY efforts fail, as even the tiniest fragment of rhizome left behind can turn into a 'monster' garden invader.
Call in the experts
Stuart Marshall says that when he failed to remove the Bohemian knotweed himself, he called in an expert (a professional knotweed removal company) who were able to provide a professional identification and ensure the job was done correctly the second time around. A knotweed specialist will not only have the expertise, but also the most appropriate equipment, usually diggers, to perform the job to the highest standards, excavating embedded roots (sometimes 3-metres long) from the ground - this is essential to stop the spread.
So is Bohemian knotweed worse than Japanese knotweed?
All in all, Bohemian knotweed is worse due to its larger size and ability to spread faster. So be warned, if you think you may have any species of knotweed or other invasive plant growing on your land, catch the culprit before it spreads. Call in the TCM Knotweed team to perform a site survey - we will provide you with a knotweed removal solution for your residential or commercial property, covered by our insurance backed guarantee!
