January is traditionally the time of year when New Year’s resolutions are made.

Typically resolutions seem to focus on counteracting all the indulgences from the Christmas period.  Eating healthily, getting fitter and quitting smoking are classic examples.

For those with Japanese knotweed, I’m sure your resolution will be to ensure that the knotweed dies and does not come back. Many of you will try and tackle this yourself. DIY knotweed removal is not a task to be undertaken lightly. The Environment Agency states that “Japanese knotweed is indisputably the UK’s most aggressive, destructive and invasive plant”.  With a warning sign like this, maybe you should think twice about attempting to control Japanese knotweed yourself.

Some methods will work, while others will simply make you think they’ve worked only for it to actually be dormant.  We are often asked why you can’t just cut the stems and then pour weed killer down the roots. There are many forums on the internet discussing various methods such as these, providing options for those who want to try and eradicate it themselves.  The key theme in the online advice is time and persistence. You need both to ensure that the knotweed doesn’t come back.

What’s missing from these helpful advice givers are the guarantees that mortgage providers demand before they will lend on a property with knotweed. Even if you think you have killed it yourself, because this isn’t supported by a guarantee which takes away the risk element for the lenders, they are unlikely to lend. This may not affect those who are lucky enough to have cash buyers, but will scare off the majority who require a mortgage.

If your resolution was to eradicate the knotweed yourself, then this may be one of the many resolutions that are broken. DIY is not something we would recommend for controlling Japanese knotweed. Often homeowners do more harm than good, as they attempt to treat the knotweed, force it into dormancy, which limits the options for an industry expert.

The DIY attitude can be advantageous for many areas, but tackling knotweed is something best left to the specialists. We offer insurance backed guarantees, underwritten by an A-rated insurer, on our treatment and removal programmes. This gives peace of mind to you, as well as to the banks and building societies.

We have a variety of solutions suitable for all situations. Take a look at our Japanese knotweed removal methods today. We look forward to speaking with you soon.