According to our recent research conducted in partnership with YouGov, almost three quarters of people are under the false impression Japanese knotweed can only be dealt with during the growing season. In fact, there are several treatment options which can be undertaken through the autumn and winter with excellent results.

Combination methods, which blend physical excavation with herbicide treatment, are highly cost-effective and importantly, ensure the garden is fully operational during the summer months with very little disruption.

With our unique DART™ method, the bulk of the knotweed rhizomes are excavated from the ground, which reduces the plant’s vigour and stimulates it to grow, enabling any further growth to be herbicide treated the following spring. DART™ is offered with our insurance-backed guarantee of up to ten years, underwritten by an A-rated insurer, which means that in the unlikely event of any further regrowth, this will be treated at no extra cost.

Customer Lesley Ryley, who had Japanese knotweed growing in the garden of her property in North Devon, said: “I bought my house six years ago knowing it was affected by knotweed, which had been treated unsuccessfully in the past. I wanted it gone for good so contacted Environet who treated it using their DART™ method, which involved digging out most of the roots last winter and then returning this summer to spray any remaining growth with herbicide. It was a sensible and affordable way of dealing with the problem which gave me complete peace of mind.”

Knotweed may not be visible on an affected property, particularly in winter. If you’re unsure whether your home, or one you wish to buy, is affected by knotweed, you can call on our sought-after team of detection dogs who are capable of detecting the plant’s rhizome even during the winter dormancy period.

Mick, Mack and Buddy can cover a garden in a matter of minutes and will indicate the presence of knotweed by freezing, even if there’s no visible evidence of the plant above ground. This is the most reliable method of determining if there’s any live knotweed present, particularly during the next few months when it could be easily missed by a human surveyor.

Contact Environet today to find out more about DART™, our Japanese knotweed detection dogs, or to speak with one of our experts.