Japanese knotweed hotspots revealed by interactive map
LITTLE Eaton, Alvaston and Ilkeston are among the worst affected locations in Derbyshire for the highly invasive plant Japanese knotweed.
As the plant enters its spring growth phase, Japanese knotweed expert Environet has revealed the latest hotspots using data from its interactive online tracker, Exposed: the Japanese Knotweed Heatmap.
Populated with over 54,000 known infestations of Japanese knotweed, charting the spread of the plant across the UK, Exposed informs homeowners and potential homebuyers of the local presence of knotweed and the potential risk to their property.
Users can enter a postcode to discover the number of reported knotweed sightings nearby, with hotspots highlighted in yellow or red.
Following its winter hibernation, knotweed begins to grow in March or April, depending on the local ground temperature, reaching up to three metres in height by midsummer. Homeowners spending more time in their gardens this spring may notice purple or red asparagus-like shoots now emerging from the ground and quickly growing into lush green shrubs with heart or shovel-shaped leaves and pink-flecked stems.
Pushing up through cracks in concrete, driveways, patios, paths, drains and even the cavity walls of our homes, Japanese knotweed can reduce a property’s value by 10% and
make it difficult to sell, unless a professional treatment plan is in place with an insurance-backed guarantee to satisfy mortgage lenders.
According to Environet’s research, approximately 5% of homes are currently affected, either directly or indirectly (neighbouring an affected
property), knocking around £20 billion off UK house prices.
The public can help in the fight against knotweed by reporting suspicious plants using the heatmap’s ‘Add Sighting’ feature and attaching a photo to be verified by experts.
Mat Day, Environet’s regional director for Derbyshire said: “Knowledge is power when it comes to Japanese knotweed and this heatmap is invaluable to homeowners and buyers who want to assess the risk in their local area.
“With the stamp duty holiday
extended and lockdown restrictions beginning to ease, the property market is busier than ever – but failing to carry out the appropriate checks for knotweed can turn out to be an expensive mistake.
“Despite its fearsome reputation, with professional help, the plant can be dealt with and the value of a property largely restored.”
To view Japanese knotweed infestations in your area or to report a sighting, visit: environetuk.com/ exposed-japanese-knotweed-heatmap