Gardeners warned of 'ticking time bomb' and told to act now
Householders are being warned of a 'ticking time bomb' which may be growing in your garden. According to experts at PropertyMarket, if you have Japanese Knotweed near your home, you should act now.
The pesky plant has a deceivingly harmless appearance, but if left undetected, it can have costly impacts on your property. During the summer months, the East Asian plant grows rapidly, usually by around 10cm per day, causing some serious damage along the way.
It is easy to mistake this plant as a pleasant addition to your garden, but it is important to address its presence as a priority. As well as growing rapidly, it can reach heights of around three metres and burrows deep underground.
Japanese Knotweed can force its way through expansion joints in concrete, cavity walls, weaknesses in the damaged mortar between paving slabs or bricks, and it can also hinder drains and sewers.
If left unaddressed, it can also potentially cause substantial structural damage, especially to properties that are more vulnerable, such as character homes. The plant, described by the PropertyMarket experts as a "ticking time bomb", reportedly causes over £170million in damages to properties each year.
It can be helpful to seek expert advice to help plan an effective treatment regime for Japanese Knotweed and to help minimise any potential return.
If you haven't heard about Japanese Knotweed or don't know what it looks like, then it is very easy to miss it in your garden.
"This plant has various growth stages throughout the year, which can make it hard to identify. In the spring, it will have red or purple asparagus-type shoots, quickly transforming into green or bamboo-like stems, but then in the early summer, it is usually fully grown at three metres high.
By this time of year, the plant flowers will produce clusters of spiky stems in tiny creamy-white flowers. The leaves are luscious green and show their unique flat, shovel, or heart-shaped appearance.
During the late autumn and winter, the leaves drop, and the canes become dark brown. The Japanese knotweed then remains dormant during the winter months before coming back to life in spring.
The correct treatment will depend on a variety of factors. However, there are normally two methods to beat the issue: herbicide treatment or physical removal through excavation.
A severe Japanese Knotweed infestation can make your home significantly harder to sell and can lower the value of your property.
Buyers may look to renegotiate the initial offer for any property, if they know they will need to spend time and money eradicating any of the plant.
Homewares deal of the week
Looking to beat the heat as temperatures continue to rise?
Then look no further than Dunelm's White Rechargeable USB Desk Fan that has an almost perfect five star rating for its small, yet mighty, design that means it works "even on the lowest setting."
Easy to connect via a USB cable that can be connected to laptops and computers, this desk fan is perfect for those who find themselves working from home on these sweaty, humid summer days.
However, it doesn't need to remain plugged-in, as the rechargeable element and compact six-inch design means it can be taken anywhere, even placed on a bedside table overnight on summer nights thanks to its "quiet" operation.
It's finished with four speed settings to choose from and an adjustable angle that can help direct the cool breeze where it is needed, unlike other models that can sometimes be stuck in one place.
As for Dunelm's own mini desk fan, it has received an impressive 4.8 rating from impressed shoppers who say that, despite its size, it is "surprisingly powerful" and "a literal life-saver" during this kind of weather.
One five-star review read: "Fantastic fan, surprisingly powerful, quiet, lasts for quite a long time when charged, very hard to find a decent small rechargeable fan but this is it, will be buying more!"
Beat the heat with Dunelm's White Rechargeable USB Desk Fan that costs just £25.
However, most UK lenders will still potentially lend to consumers if they can feel assured that the problem can be treated effectively.
Michael Holden, a former NAEA Propertymark president, said: 'When buying a home, the key issue is to make sure that you ask the vendor and the estate agent as to whether the property has had any present or historic issues with Japanese Knotweed or invasive plant species generally.
"Bamboo, for example is now becoming more of a concern. Where there are potential issues, it is advisable that a specialist survey is undertaken to identify invasive plants in the property's garden and any other matters that would require further investigation.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Powys County Times
7 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Experts say 5 gardening habits attract Japanese knotweed
Planting flowers and shrubs in gardens can really brighten them up but it's the invasive weeds and plants that are less welcome visitors. Now that summer is here, experts are warning that common garden activities are turning our green spaces into havens for 'space invaders' like Japanese knotweed, Horsetail and Bamboo. Experts at Japanese Knotweed Ltd have shared some things you could be doing that will attract the invasive plants to your garden. 5 things you should stop doing to slow down Japanese knotweed growth The experts have shared five things you might be doing that you think are harmless but could be attracting invasive plants like Japanese knotweed. Plants that could damage the value of your home Disturbing the ground Digging, weeding or turning soil might seem harmless but it's the perfect way to spread underground roots of knotweed, horsetail and bamboo. These weeds are rhizomatous (meaning they grow from underground root systems) and thrive when disturbed and now they have a fast track to take over. Doing building work Whether you're putting in the foundations for a new garden shed or laying a driveway, excavation work stirs up the ground, creating the perfect environment for weeds to spread. Composting the plant waste It might seem eco-friendly but composting plant waste like knotweed is a recipe for disaster, warn the experts at Japanese Knotweed Ltd. Warm, moist conditions in your compost pile could give these weeds the ideal spot to thrive, regrow and spread. It's also illegal to use this method of disposal for noxious plants such as knotweed. Laying patios We know you love the idea of a new garden feature, but digging for patios and pathways can disturb the soil which encourages rhizomatous plants to spread further and at speed. Creating ponds Digging for a pond or water feature may seem like a peaceful idea but it means more ground disturbance which, as already mentioned, will encourage more vigorous growth. What to do if you think there is an invasive plant growing in your garden These weeds can be controlled with methods such as herbicide application to suppress the weeds while excavation removes all parts of the plant above and below ground. If you suspect an invasive weed is in your garden, here's what you need to do. Don't panic, but don't ignore the problem either. Send a photo to an invasive weed specialist for identification and avoid cutting or digging the plant and never compost it - some plant species are governed by legislation when it comes to disposal. Book a professional survey, particularly if the plant is near a boundary with a neighbour. What is Japanese knotweed and what does it look like? The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) explains: 'Japanese knotweed is a persistent, clump-forming herbaceous perennial. It was introduced to the UK as an ornamental garden plant but has since become an invasive weed subject to legal control measures.' It added: 'In spring, rounded pink buds form at ground level and from these reddish-purple shoots emerge. The soft shoots grow rapidly, becoming bamboo-like stems. Recommended reading: 'These are characterised by reddish-purple speckling, conspicuous nodes and hollow centres. Stems usually grow about 2m (6½ft) tall, reaching their full height in late summer, by which time they may be arching over at the top. 'Spade-shaped green leaves with flattish bases usually grow to about 14cm (5½in) in length and are arranged in a zig-zag pattern along the stems. 'Toward the tips of stems, clusters of small creamy-white flowers are produced in late summer and early autumn.'
Telegraph
a day ago
- Telegraph
Citrus scent released during ovulation ‘makes women more attractive to men'
Women release high levels of citrus-like fragrances in their sweat when ovulating which makes them more attractive to men, a study has found. The discovery explains why women are often perceived as more attractive during this stage of the menstrual cycle, which is when fertility peaks. Japanese scientists took sweat samples from 21 women at each of the four stages of the monthly cycle: menstrual, follicular, ovulatory and luteal. These were randomly presented to 21 men who assessed how the 84 different scents smelled to them and which ones they preferred. A follow-up trial also asked the men to rate the attractiveness of women they were looking at on a screen while different body odour smells were wafting into their nose. The findings revealed 98 chemicals that fluctuate in concentration throughout the menstrual cycle and identified three which are made more during ovulation. E-geranylacetone, tetradecanoic acid and (Z)-9-hexadecenoic acid, the chemicals identified, are known to smell nice or play a role in the olfactory system of humans. The first is a common ingredient in perfumes and smells woody, sweet and fruity, the second is waxy and soapy and is found in nutmeg and coconut oil, and the third is associated with body odour and is known to be musky. The overall impact of these three chemicals is that women smelled less 'vinegary' and more 'fragrant' during ovulation, according to the men in the trial. 'We identified three body odour components that increased during women's ovulatory periods,' said Professor Kazushige Touhara from the University of Tokyo. 'When men sniffed a mix of those compounds and a model armpit odour, they reported those samples as less unpleasant, and accompanying images of women as more attractive and more feminine.' Naturally-produced scents affecting behaviour The men were also found to be less stressed, more comfortable and more relaxed when these chemicals were present at high levels. 'These results suggest that body odour may in some way contribute to communication between men and women,' Prof Touhara added. Previous studies have found that women are considered more attractive to men while ovulating, and there have been suggestions that odour can play a role in this process. But this study is among the first to add scientific credence to the theory that the scents naturally produced by one person can alter the thought process and behaviour of another. Pheromones have long been a staple of films and books as a way for an individual to win the affection of another but their existence among humans is an enduring scientific myth. The Japanese scientists say this study does not 'conclusively say that the compounds are human pheromones' because it is not known yet if these are specific to people only which is needed to meet the definition of pheromones. Pheremone-like compounds Prof Touhara said: 'We were primarily focused on their behavioural or physiological impacts, in this case, the reduction of stress and change in impression when seeing faces. 'So, at this moment, we can say they may be pheromone-like compounds.' The scientists write in their study, published in iScience, that it is possible this process may have evolved from the more crude pheromones of other species to create a 'communicative tool that positively affects emotions in males and induces relaxation and a positive impression toward females'. 'Such a role could function as a discreet but effective cross-sex olfactory signal in a highly developed human society governed by intellect rather than instinct,' they write.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Expert names common garden plants that can rocket the value of your home
Gardening experts have shared a list of well-maintained, established plants that can boost the value of your home Property owners are being advised about plants they can introduce to their gardens which could increase their home's value. Your garden can serve a crucial function in determining your property's worth when the time comes to sell. Well-tended, mature plants are particularly desirable as they minimise the requirement for continued maintenance. From blooming shrubs and climbing plants to sophisticated trees, these varieties can turn a garden into a precious commodity that boosts a home's total value. Gardening specialists at suggest that carefully selected plants such as hydrangeas, roses and Japanese maples can improve street appeal whilst needing little upkeep. Numerous evergreen hedges bring personality and structure to a property, with types like yew or boxwood providing all-year framework and substantially improving street appeal. A strategically positioned, established tree can also provide multiple advantages, from visual attractiveness to shelter, produce, and drawing in wildlife, reports the Manchester Evening News. Chris Bonnett, garden expert and owner of GardeningExpress, said: "Having a variety of lush plants in your garden always enhances the outdoor space, adding colour, aromas, and inviting wildlife. While it can be challenging to establish some plants, like mature trees or flowering shrubs, once thriving, they offer exceptional value to any property." Eight garden plants that can boost your home's value, according to the experts: Hydrangeas Hydrangeas are stunning flowers with large, ornamental flower heads that will add a touch of elegance to your garden, offering a range of hues from blue to pink - depending on the pH level of your soil. Not only are hydrangeas pleasing to the eye, but they also require minimal upkeep once established which is fantastic for homeowners seeking a flourishing garden without much effort. Japanese maples Japanese maples are cherished for their delicate, intricately shaped leaves and striking colours, varying from deep reds to soft greens throughout the year. These elegant trees bring a sense of calm and sophistication to any garden and are relatively low-maintenance. They can enhance a garden's design, contributing to the value of the outdoor space. Magnolias Magnolias are recognised for their large, fragrant blooms and glossy green leaves. These gorgeous trees signal the arrival of spring, with flowers blooming in shades of white, pink, or purple. They create a spectacular display when planted as a focal point tree, adding elegance to front gardens or lawn areas. Olive trees Olive trees provide a Mediterranean feel in the garden. Highly desired for their sculptural form and silvery-green foliage, they flourish in a variety of conditions and require minimal maintenance once established. Not only do olive trees offer visual appeal, but their fruit is also excellent for culinary use. Fruit trees A mature fruit tree is a treasure in any garden, not only for its seasonal bounty but also for the stunning visual appeal it brings. Whether adorned with blossoms or laden with fruit, these trees provide year-round interest and can become a striking centrepiece. They're perfect for drawing in birds, bees, and other wildlife, injecting life and biodiversity into your garden. Roses Roses, with their beauty and fragrance, are an enduring favourite in gardens worldwide. With a vast array of colours, shapes, and fragrances, they can complement both traditional and contemporary landscapes. Blooming from spring to autumn, roses infuse any outdoor space with vibrant colour and charm. Lavender Lavender is renowned for its delightful scent and striking purple hue, adding a captivating feature to your garden. Not only does it enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of your garden, but it also attracts butterflies and bees, fostering a healthy and lively environment. These attributes can significantly enhance your home's kerb appeal, creating a welcoming, fragrant atmosphere. Evergreen hedging Evergreen hedges such as yew or boxwood provide both privacy and structure to a garden. Once established, these plants lend a neat, well-maintained appearance to outdoor spaces. They offer year-round interest and serve as a classic backdrop to the rest of your garden. These varieties are also excellent for topiary, adding decorative interest and shape to your garden.
