NO QUICK SOLUTIONS SAY EXPERTS
JAPANESE Knotweed has the potential to devalue land prices if left untreated, an invasive species expert has warned. In recent months, Dr Frances Giaquinto has come across several cases where Japanese Knotweed has damaged family homes, and the potential for it to devalue property even further is real.
In one case in Galway, where a couple bought land which was infested, the Japanese Knotweed was dug up, treated and buried, but has since re-grown and has come up through the foundations of the house.
“If you have an infestation at your property, it is advisable to seek professional advice,” she said.
“A suitably qualified and experienced knotweed advisor can help you understand the risks associated with the infestation, and can guide you through an eradication programme to ensure that eradication is achieved cost-effectively and with minimal damage to infrastructure, services and the local natural environment.
“Also, it is important to ensure that an eradication programme is compliant with EU legislation and national guidelines on prevention of dispersal, safe use of herbicides and correct disposal of knotweed waste. Without this, there is a risk you could contaminate local soils and ground water with herbicide, spread infestations to neighbouring land and cause the infestation to spread uncontrollably through the wider area.
“The cost of treatment can range anywhere from €125 upwards. The main message to farmers is to stay vigilant and to get advice,” she added.
Brian Dempsey, a partner with DNG Auctioneers and recently appointed president of the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers (IPAV), has also been campaigning to increase awareness of the threat posed by Japanese Knotweed, particularly when it comes to buying new homes.
“People are becoming more aware of it as a hazard, but a lot do not really notice it until it is at the forefront of their minds — when it can be too late.
“The more you are educated about the plant, the more you will realise it has the potential to spread and do a lot of damage, especially to foundations of homes.”
While it is not yet illegal to have it on your own private land, unlike in the UK where it is now an offence, the Law Regulations 49 and 50 of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 does make it an offence to plant, disperse, allow dispersal or cause the spread of Japanese Knotweed in Ireland.
“This is why it is so important to educate people, especially farmers,” said Mr Dempsey. “This plant is capable of spreading by so many means but the movement of top soil can be one of the biggest culprits.
“Also if there are clippings present, if they get caught in the wheel of a tractor, that can result in it spreading.”
Mr Dempsey said that prospective home-buyers could find themselves in trouble if the plant is found to be in close proximity to their property.
“As an auctioneer, I know that if I see it while I am inspecting a house or lands, I will put it in my notes and, if needs be, notify the banks.”
Dispersal
Dr Giaquinto says: “Japanese Knotweed spreads because of human activity — disturbance is the underlying cause of dispersal.”
For this reason, brownfield sites, neglected land and properties and anywhere where there is traffic — for example, cows moving through gates in hedgerows or animals grazing in an infested area — they can all be problematic. “Movement of soil that is infested is one of the main causes of spread,” she added.
“Neglected and abandoned buildings can also pose a risk as an infestation can develop unnoticed.
“Farmers have access to herbicides and there is a tendency to believe that ‘more is better’. This means that inappropriate herbicides are sometimes used to control it and the plants are overdosed.
“This leads to distorted growth and rhizomes (the roots) may go dormant in response to overdose. A dormant rhizome can remain viable for a number of years and then regrow.” “THERE IS no quick solution to getting rid of Japanese Knotweed. It could take up to five years to eradicate it completely in one location,” says Peter Gill, Park Superintendent with Mayo County Council.
Mayo is believed to be one of the worst affected counties in Ireland and the Council has been holding public meetings in a bid to inform the public and map the presence of the plant throughout the county.
Meanwhile, Clare County Council is running a series of two-hour workshops on Japanese Knotweed, starting this week. They will be hosted by Frances Giaquinto.
The workshops are free of charge and open to everyone. They will be held from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at the Civic Room, Buttermarket Building, Drumbiggle, Ennis (tomorrow), The Falls Hotel, Ennistymon (Thursday), McNamara’s Bar, Scarriff (Monday, July 24), Oakwood Arms Hotel, Shannon (Tuesday, July 25), Kilrush Golf Club (Wednesday, July 26) and The Lakeside Hotel, Killaloe (Thursday, July 27).
IF I SEE IT WHEN I AM INSPECTING A HOUSE OR LAND, I WILL PUT IN MY NOTES AND, IF NEEDS BE, I WILL NOTIFY THE BANKS