Our Japanese knotweed heatmap, Exposed, has really taken off since its launch in spring this year and we’re delighted to see it featuring in the news pages of the current issue of BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine!
Gardeners’ World is the UK’s number one gardening magazine, so it will really help us spread the word about this essential online tool and encourage people to report new sightings as they work away in their gardens this autumn.
They have highlighted our latest research which shows Bolton is the worst affected place in the UK for Japanese knotweed infestations, with 653 sightings within a 4km radius of the city centre.
If you want to find out if you live in a Japanese knotweed hotspot, visit Exposed and simply enter your postcode to find out how many infestations there are within a 4km radius of your home. Hotspots are shown in yellow and red, depending on how severely the area is affected.
This is an especially useful tool if you’re buying a property and want to check if it’s located in a hotspot. If it is, it would be wise to consider instructing a Japanese knotweed survey to check the likelihood of the property you wish to buy being affected.
If you’re living in or buying a home in a high risk area, it’s a good idea to purchase a specialist Japanese knotweed indemnity policy, which covers you for the cost of treatment, repairs, legal costs and any diminution of the property’s value, should knotweed arise.
We estimate that Japanese knotweed currently affects 4 to 5% of UK properties, wiping a total of £20 billion off house prices, so it’s wise to be proactive in protecting your home.
Here’s a list of the top ten Japanese knotweed hotspots in Great Britain:
If you’re concerned about Japanese knotweed impacting your home, or if you’re unsure if a suspicious plant growing in your garden is knotweed or something else, please contact us today for friendly, professional advice.
