Japanese knotweed and the law
This page covers Japanese knotweed Law, what you need to know & who is responsible for Japanese knotweed and what to do if you find knotweed.

We are Cardiff’s trusted knotweed treatment and removal experts with over 10,000 satisfied customers and over 1,000 independent five-star reviews on Trustpilot.
Japanese Knotweed Ltd has been operating in Cardiff and the surrounding areas since 2010 and we have established some really strong ties to local business and communities. We have highly trained and accredited surveyors and technicians carrying out treatment plans and excavations for hundreds of satisfied customers all throughout the Cardiff area, and we would be thrilled to have your business.
Fill in the contact form to enquire about our services, and one of the team will get in touch.
We are members of the Property Care Association and have a proven track record working successfully for local councils, developers, construction companies and private landowners. If you are selling or buying a property that is affected by Japanese knotweed, request your free* Japanese knotweed Survey.
* There are circumstances where fees for surveys will apply. Details HERE.
Excavation will get rid of Japanese knotweed for good. Removing and disposing all of the contaminated ground can be carried out swiftly by our experienced operatives, leaving your land infestation free and fit for purpose..
Japanese knotweed is a highly resilient invasive species of weed that is capable of growing new shoots from its root network. These special roots are known as rhizomes, and even a tiny piece as small as 0.5g is capable of allowing the infestation to regrow. With root systems that bury deep into the ground, excavation of the contaminated soil is the best way to completely remove the infestation.
A popular option in Cardiff – especially for homeowners or businesses where excavation is not preferable is Chemical Treatment. Herbicides control its growth and stop the spread by exhausting the plant’s ability to grow and over time will force it into a dormant state .
Over the course of the plan, the treatment programme will prevent the plant producing aerial growth and additionally, prevent the rhizomes from growing further. If the knotweed area is likely to be disturbed physical removal of the knotweed may be required instead.
Treatment methods include stem injection, herbicide spray and leaf wiping. Our herbicide programmes are packaged within a Knotweed Management Plan (KMP), which comes with an Insurance Backed Guarantee.
The average cost to remove Japanese knotweed in Cardiff varies, depending on the methods involved and the size of the affected areas. If it is identified and dealt with promptly, the costs of removing Japanese knotweed can be kept to a minimum. Long-term herbicide treatment is usually the most cost-effective control method. Our professionally delivered herbicide treatment programme will provide successful chemical control of Japanese knotweed within a period of 3-7 years.
Excavation of Japanese knotweed costs more than herbicide treatment due to labour, materials, waste removal and reinstatement costs. However, it ensures complete Japanese knotweed removal allowing free use or development of the property. We provide cost-efficient excavation due to our extensive experience whilst minimising waste volumes.
Following our professional surveys we will provide you with a no-nonsense, comprehensive report with no-obligation recommendations and quotes.
There are lots of theories on the internet about how to remove Japanese knotweed – from using a lawnmower to using a flamethrower. The truth is that there is no way to deal with Japanese knotweed yourself. You need to have a plan in place to control the Japanese knotweed, or you need to excavate it to get rid of it once-and-for-all.
As knotweed is an invasive species that is classed as “Controlled Waste” it can only be removed by licensed organisations. It must be disposed of safely at a licensed landfill site by a registered waste carrier. Carelessly disposed of, knotweed can cause an infestation. Due to this, and the legal issues surrounding knotweed, we do not advise you try to undertake this operation yourself. Contact us instead.
Individuals and businesses of all sizes come to us to provide a complete control solution that has been carefully and professionally thought out, and has considered every aspect – environmental impact, project delivery and cost.
We are a company with the right industry standards and certification. As well as holding all safety accreditations, we are members of BASIS and the Amenity Standard. The BASIS Amenity Assured Scheme sets a benchmark of best proactive methods for weed, pest and disease controls in Amenity situations.
You’ll benefit from our Specialist Advisory Services, from qualified experts with over 25 years’ experience in agronomy and amenity weed management.
Our operations are carried out in accordance with The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, The Environmental Protection Act 1990, EPA (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991 and all other relevant legislation, as well as the PCA, INNSA and E.A. Code of Practice guidelines.