The warmest February on record has prompted the emergence of Japanese knotweed at least one month earlier than usual, with spring shoots spotted by our Southern Regional Director Emily Grant last week in Lee Bay, North Devon.

Japanese knotweed usually appears in late March or early April, when the ground reaches around 4°c, but the unseasonably warm weather which peaked at 20.6°c in West Wales at the end of February, has led to knotweed shoots emerging in February for the first time in our twenty years of operation!

So, we’re busy gearing up for an early start to the treatment season to give our customers maximum protection from this highly invasive plant, which is now beginning its annual assault on our property foundations, patios, driveways, cavity walls and drains.

Look out for red or purple asparagus-like shoots sprouting from the ground and quickly turning into green bamboo-like stems. Remember, we offer a free identification service, so if you aren’t sure please email a photo to [email protected] and we’ll confirm its identity.

Japanese knotweed can be treated at any time of year using our environmentally friendly Resi-Dig-Out™ method, which involves digging out the rhizome roots and sifting out every viable piece before returning the clean soil to the ground.

If you want to sell your property, now is the time to call us and arrange a survey. We provide insurance-backed guarantees for up to ten years, which will keep mortgage lenders happy and ensure your property can be bought and sold with difficulty.