Invasive Vegetation Management & Treatment Ltd - April 2021 Newsletter

Guidance Notes on Giant Hogweed & Japanese Knotweed

Guidance Notes on Giant Hogweed & Japanese Knotweed

Leading the way in the management and treatment of Japanese Knotweed and other invasive species.

 

IVM are Japanese Knotweed specialists but also treat and control other invasive weeds throughout the UK.

 

Following further publicity and reported incidents of blistering by Giant Hogweed we offer the following guidance which we trust will assist you with control, eradication and awareness.

 

Giant Hogweed

 

The sap of Giant Hogweed contains a toxic chemical which sensitises the skin and leads to severe blistering when exposed to sunlight. This reaction can recur for many years.

Legislation

 

In the UK, legislation concerning Giant Hogweed is provided by a number of instruments i.e. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) Section 9 Schedule 14: “It is illegal to plant or otherwise cause Giant Hogweed to grow in the wild in the UK” England and Wales.

 

Anti-Social Behaviour Crime & Policing Act 2014 – “Local Councils and the police have the power to issue community protection notices against individuals who are acting unreasonably and who persistently act in a way that has a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality.”

 

Breach of any requirement without reasonable excuse would be a criminal offense.

 

There is provision within common law to take civil action against neighbouring land owners where the spread of Giant Hogweed is considered to be a private or public nuisance.

 

Life Cycle

 

Giant Hogweed relies solely on seeds for reproduction and spread. A single plant germinating from a single seed could start a significant invasion. The flowers of a single umbel can produce 30-50,000 viable seeds.

 

Impacts

 

Giant Hogweed is a serious threat to human health. Contact with exposed human skin results in a red rash and blistering within 24-48 hours which can be serious, lasting several months and may persist for five years.

 

Management Plans for Giant Hogweed

 

A number of methods are available. The method chosen depends on a number of factors e.g. available budget and the target date for control and eradication, but as with Japanese Knotweed the most cost effective treatment plans do require time to complete.

 

What to do if you are exposed to Giant Hogweed sap?

 

Wash the skin carefully with soap and water as soon as possible following contact.

Keep the area of skin away from sunlight for at least 48 hours (this includes sunlight on dull, overcast days).

Seek medical assistance – treatment with topical steroids early in the reaction can reduce the severity and ease discomfort.

In the following months, sun cream should be used for the sensitive areas.

Japanese Knotweed

 

How to minimise the loss of an instruction, sale or purchase due to Japanese Knotweed

 

Ask the vendor if they are aware of the presence of Japanese Knotweed on their property or immediately adjoining their property. It will be a question asked by the solicitors as part of pre-contract enquiries.

 

If your vendor is unsure, take photographs of anything suspicious and we will advise. Go to our website www.knotweed-uk.com and download the free guide to Japanese Knotweed to assist identification.

 

The RICS valuers are obliged to identify within their valuation survey and report to the mortgage lender.

 

If identified it is probable that the mortgage lender will refuse funds without an approved 10 year insured guarantee and treatment plan by an accredited and recognised invasive weed contractor.

 

What is the Process?

 

If the valuer or Building Society require a survey report to confirm Japanese Knotweed is not growing within a zone of influence to represent risk, a survey can be carried out, followed by a written report and the cost to the vendor or purchaser is usually around £250.00 + VAT.

 

If Japanese Knotweed is growing within the property a proposal treatment programme survey can be carried out.

 

The purchaser or vendor will be offered the treatment programme together with the option of a 10 year insured guarantee.

 

The cost of the insured guarantee is a single premium i.e. one payment.

 

The IVM 10 year guarantee and the 10 year insured guarantee is assignable to successors in title throughout the term.

 

If the vendor / purchaser appoints IVM and accepts the proposal, the insurance application is made and the insurers issue the policy, providing payment has been made in full, which will satisfy the majority of lenders and mortgage approval would not be declined (subject to all other lending criteria).

 

Under the terms of the treatment programme and a prerequisite of the insured guarantee, IVM commences the treatment programme which is normally two full growing seasons followed by two year monitoring the policy commences from the date of the first treatment.

 

Exceptions

 

There may be circumstances where the Japanese Knotweed is a “cross boundary” issue, but these can also be dealt with in a similar format subject to co-operation by third party land owners.

 

If you have any questions or queries, please rest assured that your contact will always be welcomed.

IVM ‘FAST’ System – Foliage & Stem Treatment

 

A cost effective solution to your invasive vegetation problem has arrived;

Invasive Vegetation Management & Treatment Limited (IVM) will produce a tailor-made program for your site, we work in with your time restraints, budget and ecological issues.

IVM’s flagship methodology, known as the IVM ‘FAST ‘ System (Foliage and Stem Treatment) guarantees treatment of Japanese Knotweed & other invasive species.

This advanced system uses the latest herbicides and application techniques to create a methodology that is cheaper and faster than its rivals.

The ‘FAST’ System uses different herbicides at different times of the year to kill different parts of the plant, in addition to the herbicides, products are applied to improve translocation rates, limit evaporation and assist the herbicide to adhere to the plant.

More information regarding IVM’s treatments, methodology’s and contact details can be found on our website.

Invasive Vegetation Management & Treatment Ltd, 2 Stone Cross, Water Orton, Birmingham, B46 1NA

www.knotweed-uk.com
Tel: 07836 321219 or 0121 366 8916
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