The latest weapon in the fight against Japanese Knotweed
Japanese Knotweed. For decades, this invasive plant was the bane of homebuyers and sellers.
Although it’s still a problem, we now know how to control it pretty well. Spotting it early and getting a service to come in and remove it (a legal requirement for its disposal) means things are much more straightforward these days.
You, your chartered surveyor or a sniffer dog (to be explained shortly) might locate it, and it might slow down proceedings. However, modern legislation means it shouldn’t have too much of an impact on the sale.
On this page, we’ll talk about an exciting new development – the potential use of Japanese Knotweed sniffer dogs.
What is Japanese Knotweed, and why is it a problem?
Japanese Knotweed is a fast-growing, bamboo-like plant originating in – you guessed it – Japan. In the 1800s, botanists brought a sample over, and wealthy Brits took clippings home. Eventually, it spread everywhere.
Only then did we realise the dangers the plant posed. For example, the root systems can quickly burrow through weak foundations, leading to severe damage to outbuildings like sheds, patios, driveways and pavements.
The real issue with Japanese Knotweed is its incredible ability to grow from almost nothing. If you want to eliminate it from your property, you must remove every last trace of is roots (called rhizomes). If even the smallest amount survives, new shoots can grow, and new roots spread out. It actually takes three years of no evidence of the plant before you can legally say it’s gone.
Removing Japanese Knotweed is expensive. Chemical treatment plans can cost up to £3,000. In the most extreme cases, you’ll need excavation too, which could hit £6,000 or more.
Do you see why it’s not an ideal plant in your garden?
And why mortgage lenders are uncomfortable when it’s present?
How are dogs used to ‘sniff out’ Japanese Knotweed?
Traditionally, the best way to find Japanese Knotweed is to see it. Each season sees the plant grow and change appearance, so knowing what to look for is essential.
An article in Country Life appeared in March 2023 about Kat Janczur and her dogs at Canine Detection Solutions. They’re working with Knotweed Services UK to train these animals to sniff out Japanese Knotweed.
Incredible.
We all know that a dog’s sense of smell far surpasses ours. And a working dog is always focused, diligent, and extremely intelligent. Kat and her team are now exploring the early adoption of training Japanese Knotweed sniffer dogs.
Although we’re still in the early stages of this experiment, early signs are extremely promising. In a recent trial conducted by Knotweed Services UK (based just outside Birmingham), the dogs found all the Japanese Knotweed with no false alarms. Read more about this experiment in the Country Life article linked above.
If this becomes mainstream, it could completely change how we address Japanese Knotweed.
Why?
Because sniffer dogs – by nature – rely on their noses, not their eyes. They could find Japanese Knotweed when it’s hidden underneath slabs or other such surfaces. They could even detect in winter when there might be virtually no visible signs of its presence.
How do you get a sniffer dog to help you find Japanese Knotweed?
Unfortunately, we’re still in the very early stages of Japanese Knotweed sniffer dogs. They’re far from common. In fact, the service essentially doesn’t quite exist yet.
However, the initial signs mentioned in Country Life look encouraging. We expect this movement to take off over the next few years.
In the meantime, we’ll have to rely on good old-fashioned human inspection. The best way to detect Japanese Knotweed is through a home survey. If your survey does identify Japanese Knotweed, we’d recommend calling in a specialist to identify the origin on the property and provide guidance on a treatment plan.
How a home survey from GB Home Surveys helps
Japanese Knotweed isn’t what anyone wants to find in their property or the home they’ve put an offer down on. However, it’s a common problem, meaning we know exactly how to deal with it.
A RICS home survey is vital when purchasing a property. It means you know exactly what you’re in store for, and can help identify issues like Japanese Knotweed to help you avoid being hit by an unexpectedly large bill after moving in.
GB Home Surveys offers RICS home surveys. For more information on how we can help you and what to do if you find Japanese Knotweed, please don’t hesitate to get in touch for a friendly chat.
You can reach us using the form below. We look forward to your message.
