Knotweed stem injection kerbs treatment costs

Innovative knotweed stem injection solution, available for first time in the UK through Stem Injection Systems (Europe), can kerb developers' massive treatment costs.

With the problem of non native invasive plants such as Japanese knotweed continuing to hold up major regeneration projects and adding millions to development costs, the launch of an innovative new stem injection treatment system could provide a major breakthrough for the construction industry.

Developed in the United States over the last seven years where it is now proven and endorsed by major herbicide manufacturers, the new treatment is available for the first time in the UK through Cheshire-based Stem Injection Systems (Europe), which is the system's preferred supplier for the whole of Europe.

An alternative to traditional chemical spraying and 'dig and dump' methods, this latest technology brings a completely new approach to tackling the environmental menace of non native 'superweeds' such as Giant Hogweed, Himalayan Balsam and, the most dangerous, Japanese knotweed, which alone is estimated to cost landowners and developers some GBP2 billion to treat each year.

One of the most invasive plants in the UK, knotweed can, if allowed to spread, quickly contaminate entire areas of vegetation and is capable of growing through concrete and tarmac and causing major structural damage to buildings.

Earlier this year experts identified a 10 acre swathe of Japanese knotweed at the east London site of the 2012 Olympics, which they estimated would cost over GBP70m to clear.

The stem injection system works by delivering a measured dose of herbicide into the centre of the plant rather than just to the surface.

This means it targets only the plants injected and there is no environmental risk of drift spray, run-off or contamination of watercourses and other sensitive vegetation.

Injection directly into the plant stem means the method is unaffected by rain or wind and can be applied in all weathers throughout the growing season.

Treatment times for the removal of Japanese knotweed are reduced by up to five times over conventional spraying and the efficiency of the system in preventing plant re-growth means the cost to developers of weed removal is also ultimately reduced.

With increased government and environmental legislation now having an impact on treatment methods, the stem injection system is a timely alternative to traditional practices.

These include chemical spraying, which can harm other plants and animal life in the area, and dig and dump, a method that has seen many house builders and developers filling valuable land fill sites with huge quantities of contaminated soil.

Stem Injection Systems is the sister company of Japanese Knotweed Control that has been providing traditional knotweed treatment practices and consultations on the problem to builders and developers for several years.

Its joint MD, David Layland now maintains stem injection is the most robust and successful method: "Economically and environmentally this is the most effective treatment now available in the UK.

It is the first time this treatment method has been available outside the United States and we've already had enormous interest from a number of commercial organisations, developers and local authorities, desperate to try and eradicate this huge and very costly problem." .

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