Best way to control knotweed on commercial property

In this article we explain the best way to control knotweed on commercial property and why a herbicide management plan is often the most favoured option.

Herbicide treatment – a great and popular option

Managed estates or blocks run by Property Management companies, Housing Associations or commercial businesses have invasive plants growing on their grounds, which needs to be dealt with as part of a maintenance plan. Herbicide control is a great option for managing Japanese knotweed on commercial property for several reasons:

• Cost-effectiveness: Herbicide treatment is one of the most affordable and reliable methods for controlling knotweed, especially on larger commercial sites where full excavation would be either restricted by the site or environment, or prohibitively expensive. It allows businesses to manage infestations without incurring the higher costs of soil removal and waste disposal.
• Minimal disruption: Unlike excavation, herbicide application causes little disturbance to ongoing site operations, infrastructure, or landscaping. This is particularly important for commercial properties that need to remain operational during treatment, or that have environmental considerations not be suitable for digging.
• Long-term control: Systemic herbicides are absorbed by the plant and transported to the root system, providing effective, long-term suppression of regrowth. Treatments are typically applied over several years, with ongoing monitoring to ensure effectiveness and compliance with management plans.
• Compliance and documentation: Professional herbicide treatments come with proper documentation, which is often required for legal compliance, insurance, and to satisfy stakeholders and should come with insurance-backed guarantees for added assurance.
• Flexibility: Herbicide control can be tailored to the specific needs of the site, using foliar sprays, stem injections or leaf wiping depending on environmental factors and proximity to other non-target plants or sensitive areas like watercourses.
• Integration with other methods: On some sites, herbicide treatment can be used in combination with other methods (such as mechanical, biological) as part of a comprehensive knotweed management plan, helping to reduce the volume of waste that needs expensive disposal.

Best way to control knotweed on commercial property – conclusion

In summary, herbicide control is favoured on commercial properties for its affordability, low disruption, long-term effectiveness, and ability to meet compliance and documentation requirements. Get in touch for a quote or survey.

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