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Western Telegraph
20 hours ago
- General
- Western Telegraph
When Japanese Knotweed flowers in the UK and how to remove
Japanese Knotweed is one of many that can lead to your home losing value due to the damage caused. It is an aggressive plant that grows quickly, with its roots burrowing deep underground, which can sometimes be up to 3 metres down. With this, it's important to know about Japanese Knotweed, including what it looks like, when it flowers in the UK and how to report and remove it. What does Japanese Knotweed look like and when does it flower in the UK? The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) describes Japanese Knotweed as "a persistent, clump-forming herbaceous perennial". It grows "rapidly in summer and is most prominent from August to September", says Saga's home insurance and property expert Anna Thunstrom. She explained: "Keep an eye out for its characteristic shield or shovel-shaped leaves, along with clusters of creamy white flowers that bloom during late summer". However, the RHS warns that while Japanese knotweed stems die back in winter, in sheltered locations, dead stems may remain upright through the winter. What to do if I find Japanese Knotweed? While it is not an offence to have Japanese knotweed growing in your garden, it is an offence to plant or cause to grow in the wild and you should take steps to prevent it spreading. Did you know Japanese knotweed thrives by water? Removing #knotweed from places such as this requires min 2-man team and an Aqua-herb license. Hopefully our teams out on contracts up and down the country today have coped with this summer heatwave. — Japanese Knotweed Ltd (@knotweedLTD) July 11, 2025 It can also cause damage to your property, as the expert Ms Thunstrom explains: 'Japanese knotweed is particularly notorious for causing structural damage to buildings, potentially impacting the property's value. "As a result, sellers are obliged to disclose its presence." She also warns to act quick, as it could "anywhere between £1,000 to £12,000 to have Japanese Knotweed removed, depending on the garden size and severity of the infestation". Japanese Knotweed UK Law As the RHS explains: "Japanese knotweed is listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Section 14, making it an offence to plant or cause Japanese knotweed to grow in the wild. "The penalties for offences under Section 14 include fines and imprisonment." While it is not illegal to have Japanese Knotweed in your garden, it is important to control it to prevent it from becoming a problem in your neighbourhood. As explained by the RHS as part of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, if Japanese Knotweed has a "detrimental effect of a persistent or continuing nature on the quality of life of those in the locality", property owners may be prosecuted. If problems with the plant happen in a neighbouring garden, you should be in touch with your neighbour about it before contacting your local council. How to remove Japanese Knotweed It is advised to get professionals to come and remove Japanese Knotweed. Thomson Environmental Consultants are experts in invasive species management and have experience in controlling and managing Japanese Knotweed. Craig Godbehere, a site supervisor and certified surveyor in Japanese Knotweed at Thomson, explained various control measures that can be used to manage the Japanese Knotweed on a site. These are: In-situ treatment using approved herbicides Controlled contaminated soils from the site to an approved facility using an approved waste carrier Burial at either 5m with a cap or 2m completely encapsulated Stockpiling of the contaminated soils Soil screening/sieving with potential re-use on-site 'Installation of Root Barriers' where all contamination can't be removed Mr Godbehere added: "Strict biosecurity measures should be enforced to prevent the accidental spread of the Japanese Knotweed. "All plants, vehicles, equipment, and clothing must be thoroughly cleaned before leaving contaminated areas. "Cleaning should take place in the location (or immediate vicinity) where the soil or living material originated before equipment and personnel leave the buffer zone." Recommended reading: He also explained how herbicide treatment is regularly used, as this is usually the most cost-effective option. However, he warned that herbicide treatment shouldn't be used in isolation where there is likely to be future soil disturbance around the infested area. "If this option is used, achieving the desired results may take many years," he said.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
RHS Flower Show due to return to South Yorkshire in 2028
A prestigious annual flower show which was held near Rotherham this year is expected to return to the area in Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Flower Show was held at Wentworth Woodhouse last week, in a move from its usual home at Tatton Park in Poll, head of shows development, said the RHS hoped to return to the property in future after what she called a "completely unique" show."The use of the house is really unusual for us," she said. "It enabled us to bring new content to a new show – we had floristry competitions, botanical art, it was fabulous." The 2025 show, which had promised to "hit a different target audience", featured a miner's garden, a teenage dirt park with a BMX track, and an urban pollinators space. Sarah McCleod, CEO of the Grade I listed property's preservation trust, said she would like to ensure "positive impacts are spread to other businesses in the area" during any future show."It was so wonderful to have thousands of people not just come to Wentworth Woodhouse, but to Rotherham and South Yorkshire," she said."It's a really good way of raising the profile of our fantastic region."Both organisers described the show as a success, despite issues with coach space and traffic customers missed stalls as a result of excessive delays, and one attendee's expected 20-minute drive to the property took an hour and a McCleod maintained that the RHS did a "fantastic job" managing traffic given the volume of its return to Wentworth Woodhouse, the show is due to go to Badminton, Gloucestershire and Sandringham, Norfolk, then back to its home in Cheshire."We have been so delighted to venture to a new area, and we are delighted with how the show went," Ms Poll said."We would love to be back in South Yorkshire again in 2028." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Do YOU live in a Japanese knotweed hotspot? Here's how to spot and get rid of it
Bristol is the Japanese knotweed 'capital of England', new data from Environet shows. In the year to date, there have been 1,440 reported sightings of Japanese knotweed in the South West city, according to the findings. Merseyside is another hotspot for Japanese knotweed, with 2,963 sightings reported, but spanning a less dense area, at 11.87 episodes per square mile compared to 33.91 in Bristol. Greater London is the third most prevalent Japanese knotweed hub, with 4,687 reported sightings and 7.74 incidents per square mile. Lancashire came out in fourth place, seeing a hefty 8,612 sightings spanning 7.25 episodes per square mile. Residents in Greater Manchester also need to be on high alert for Japanese knotweed, with the area seeing 3,558 Japanese knotweed reports, translating to 7.22 incidents per square mile. Spanning further afield, the Isle of Man, a self-governing British crown dependency, also reached the top 10, as did the Channel Islands, Isle of Wight, Derbyshire and Nottingham, followed closely by the West Midlands and Surrey. What is Japanese knotweed? According to the Royal Horticultural Society, Japanese knotweed is a persistent, clump-forming herbaceous perennial, which was introduced to Britain as an ornamental garden plant but has since become an invasive weed subject to legal control measures. Japanese knotweed first arrived in Britain in the Victorian times in a box of plant specimens delivered to Kew Gardens and was quickly adopted by gardeners and horticulturalists, who were unaware of its invasive nature. Since then it has spread widely, with an average of 1.1 occurrences in every square mile of England and 3.9 in Wales, according to Environet. Japanese knotweed can grow in most soil conditions found in Britain, particularly in man-made habitats, such as roadsides, waste ground, railway embankments and cuttings and spoil tips. It is also commonly found along rivers and streams. Why is Japanese knotweed common in locations like Bristol? Speaking to This is Money, Emily Grant, a director at Environet, said: 'It's likely that Japanese knotweed is most prolific near ports such as Bristol, Liverpool and Cardiff, because of historical shopping and trading practices.' She added: 'In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries ships would return from all over the world carrying ballast, which often included soil containing non-native plant material like knotweed. 'That was then dumped to make way for the next cargo, and it quickly took hold. It may also have been planted deliberately to stabilise railway embankments and slag heaps. 'In industrial areas like Manchester, Lancashire and the Midlands, extensive soil movement from mining and construction accelerated its spread.' How can I spot Japanese knotweed? Japanese knotweed begins to emerge in early spring, quickly growing into lush green shrubs with pink-flecked stems, heart-shaped leaves and bamboo-like canes. In August it starts flowering with bunches of tiny creamy-white blooms that hang in tassels. It can pose serious problems for homeowners, with underground rhizomes that can grow up to three metres deep and spread up to seven metres horizontally, emerging through cracks in concrete, tarmac driveways, pathways, drains and cavity walls. While serious damage to property is rare, mortgage lenders require knotweed to be dealt with when a property is sold, meaning it can cause legal disputes between neighbours and reduce a property's value. Environet estimates that the presence of Japanese knotweed at a property can reduce its value by 5 per cent, though this is variable and will depend on the scale of the problem. A 2023 Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs report put the cost of tackling knotweed to the economy at nearly £250million per year. What should I do if I suspect Japanese knotweed? The government's website states: 'You must stop Japanese knotweed on your land from spreading off your property. 'Soil or plant material contaminated with non-native and invasive plants like Japanese knotweed can cause ecological damage and may be classified as controlled waste. 'You do not legally have to remove Japanese knotweed from your land unless it's causing a nuisance, but you can be prosecuted for causing it to spread into the wild.' If you do notice knotweed, you do not need to report it, but if it is on your property you should act sooner rather than later. 'The more it grows, the more it will cost to remove', Grant told This is Money. You will not be able to sell your property until you have had any Japanese knotweed professionally dealt with, and you could be at risk of a legal claim from a neighbour if you leave it to spread. Grant added: 'From there a treatment plan can be put in place, whether it's herbicide, removal, or a combination of both. 'Whatever option you go for, be sure to get an insurance-backed guarantee so if it starts to regrow you know you're covered – and that's what mortgage lenders will expect when you come to sell your property.' Japanese knotweed must be carefully disposed of carefully. If you cannot dispose of it suitably on site, you must send it to a landfill site or incineration facility that has the correct type of permit. It is best not to try and tackle a Japanese knotweed invasion yourself, unless you have appropriate training, skills and equipment. How to find a new mortgage Borrowers who need a mortgage because their current fixed rate deal is ending, or they are buying a home, should explore their options as soon as possible. Buy-to-let landlords should also act as soon as they can. Quick mortgage finder links with This is Money's partner L&C > Mortgage rates calculator > Find the right mortgage for you What if I need to remortgage? Borrowers should compare rates, speak to a mortgage broker and be prepared to act. Homeowners can lock in to a new deal six to nine months in advance, often with no obligation to take it. Most mortgage deals allow fees to be added to the loan and only be charged when it is taken out. This means borrowers can secure a rate without paying expensive arrangement fees. Keep in mind that by doing this and not clearing the fee on completion, interest will be paid on the fee amount over the entire term of the loan, so this may not be the best option for everyone. What if I am buying a home? Those with home purchases agreed should also aim to secure rates as soon as possible, so they know exactly what their monthly payments will be. Buyers should avoid overstretching and be aware that house prices may fall, as higher mortgage rates limit people's borrowing ability and buying power. What about buy-to-let landlords Buy-to-let landlords with interest-only mortgages will see a greater jump in monthly costs than homeowners on residential mortgages. This makes remortgaging in plenty of time essential and our partner L&C can help with buy-to-let mortgages too. How to compare mortgage costs The best way to compare mortgage costs and find the right deal for you is to speak to a broker. This is Money has a long-standing partnership with fee-free broker L&C, to provide you with fee-free expert mortgage advice. Interested in seeing today's best mortgage rates? Use This is Money and L&Cs best mortgage rates calculator to show deals matching your home value, mortgage size, term and fixed rate needs. If you're ready to find your next mortgage, why not use L&C's online Mortgage Finder. It will search 1,000's of deals from more than 90 different lenders to discover the best deal for you. > Find your best mortgage deal with This is Money and L&C Be aware that rates can change quickly, however, and so if you need a mortgage or want to compare rates, speak to L&C as soon as possible, so they can help you find the right mortgage for you.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Wasps making our lives a misery: How can we get our neighbour to tackle a nest while we try to sell our home?
We're trying to sell our house, but next door has a major wasp infestation at the front of their property, which is always visible during viewings. We have young children and have previously mentioned the wasps to the neighbours in question, but they just don' tseem bothered about getting the infestation sorted. How can we get our neighbours to get rid of the wasps? What are their options for getting this problem resolved and can we compel them to sort it out? Jane Denton, of This is Money, replies: Britain is facing a surge in wasps this summer, with some experts claiming there is a 'population explosion.' The spring sunshine lured wasps out of hibernation early, giving them more time to grow. The head start means this year's nests are already surpassing last year's in size, with months still to go. Social wasps live in colonies and in Britain are usually yellow and reddish brown or black. Their colonies can consist of hundreds or thousands of female workers and their much larger mother, the egg-laying queen. Wasps have a bad reputation, but, according to the Royal Horticultural Society, are beneficial in gardens as they feed their grubs on caterpillars, greenfly and other insects and help reduce plant damage. However, wasps can become a nuisance to people during the late summer when, as the weather becomes a little cooler, they become more likely to sting. A wasp, unlike a bee, can sting many times. Social wasps in distress emit a pheromone that sends nearby colony members into a defensive, stinging frenzy. Although a wasp sting is not normally serious, it can be painful, and in certain cases cause a severe reaction. While not a long-term solution, keep your property's doors and windows closed to prevent wasps from your neighbour's property getting in. As you are in the process of trying to sell your home, try and have another polite conversation with your neighbours about the wasps. As a last resort, consider contacting your local council about the issue, telling them why you think the wasps pose an environmental health issue or potential danger to people. Trying to get the problem resolved via the council could be time-consuming, which is not ideal when you are trying to sell your property. I asked two experts for their advice. John Horsley, professional development officer at the British Pest Control Association, says: Wasps are likely to make their nest somewhere sheltered, often under trees or in bushes, in wall cavities, under eaves or in a shed or garage, but they have been found in much more unusual places, from toilet cisterns to brass instruments. Several factors can influence where a nest is built. For a nest to be successful, it will need to be in a protected location with readily available materials nearby to construct the nest. Wasps will also look for sites that have a regular food source present, from which they will feed roughly every 15 minutes. At this time of year, the nest will be expanding and at its peak in late summer, could be home to between 3,000 and 5,000 individuals. It is always best to start by speaking to your neighbour and ask again if they are aware of the wasps' nest on their property. Explain the possible issues and point out that in high traffic areas, a wasp nest can cause a public health risk. Wasps will sting if they feel threatened and if they become defensive of the nest, they can emit a pheromone that acts as a call for back-up and can trigger a stinging frenzy from a swarm of angry wasps. Their stings can cause an allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis, which can be fatal. If anaphylaxis is suspected, dial 999 immediately. Never attempt to deal with a wasp nest if you think you might be allergic to stings. You can ask the neighbour to have the nest treated, but if they are unwilling and you feel the nest poses a risk to occupants of your property you could escalate the problem to your local authority, which may be able to help with advice or even use legislative powers to have the nest treated. However, treating a wasp nest can be very dangerous. We recommend getting help from a BPCA member who will have the technical knowledge to deal with the problem safely, as well as having access to products that are not available to members of the public. The good news is that the situation will resolve itself eventually as wasps will abandon the nest as autumn arrives. Sophie Thorogood, technical training manager at Pest-Stop, says: The best option might be to offer to pay to get the wasp nest treated by a pest controller. Get your neighbour's permission to enter their property to resolve the issue quickly. While wasps are considered a public health pest, it is unlikely that your local council would be in a positron to take timely action by late September, when the nest will have died down. Some laws like the Environmental Protection Act 1990 or the Public Health Act 1936 could be applicable, but these are more likely to be used when the risk to public health is larger, for example at a school where there is a nest near a playground or if a child has a serious allergic reaction to a wasp sting. A pest controller will usually apply an insecticide near the entrance of the nest. The wasps then bring the chemical into the nest, causing them to die from the dose after a few days. Do not be tempted to try and get rid of the nest yourself, as this can be unsafe and ineffective. How to find a new mortgage Borrowers who need a mortgage because their current fixed rate deal is ending, or they are buying a home, should explore their options as soon as possible. Buy-to-let landlords should also act as soon as they can. Quick mortgage finder links with This is Money's partner L&C > Mortgage rates calculator > Find the right mortgage for you What if I need to remortgage? Borrowers should compare rates, speak to a mortgage broker and be prepared to act. Homeowners can lock in to a new deal six to nine months in advance, often with no obligation to take it. Most mortgage deals allow fees to be added to the loan and only be charged when it is taken out. This means borrowers can secure a rate without paying expensive arrangement fees. Keep in mind that by doing this and not clearing the fee on completion, interest will be paid on the fee amount over the entire term of the loan, so this may not be the best option for everyone. What if I am buying a home? Those with home purchases agreed should also aim to secure rates as soon as possible, so they know exactly what their monthly payments will be. Buyers should avoid overstretching and be aware that house prices may fall, as higher mortgage rates limit people's borrowing ability and buying power. What about buy-to-let landlords Buy-to-let landlords with interest-only mortgages will see a greater jump in monthly costs than homeowners on residential mortgages. This makes remortgaging in plenty of time essential and our partner L&C can help with buy-to-let mortgages too. How to compare mortgage costs The best way to compare mortgage costs and find the right deal for you is to speak to a broker. This is Money has a long-standing partnership with fee-free broker L&C, to provide you with fee-free expert mortgage advice. Interested in seeing today's best mortgage rates? Use This is Money and L&Cs best mortgage rates calculator to show deals matching your home value, mortgage size, term and fixed rate needs. If you're ready to find your next mortgage, why not use L&C's online Mortgage Finder. It will search 1,000's of deals from more than 90 different lenders to discover the best deal for you. > Find your best mortgage deal with This is Money and L&C Be aware that rates can change quickly, however, and so if you need a mortgage or want to compare rates, speak to L&C as soon as possible, so they can help you find the right mortgage for you.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Judging kicks off for 40th Cumbria in Bloom competition
Judges are on the lookout for blooming successes as part of a Cumbria-wide horticultural competition. Judging is now under way for the 40th anniversary of Cumbria in Bloom, with officials touring schools, villages, towns and city centres as part of a three-week assessment of this year's entries. The process began with the youngest participants in the schools' category, with assessors donning hi-vis tabards and clipboards. Keith McIntosh, chairman of Cumbria in Bloom, said: "We have a good number of entries from across all categories for our 40th Cumbria in Bloom. "Following a very successful training day at Holehird Gardens, near Windermere, the Cumbria in Bloom assessors are out visiting schools' gardening entries before the end of term. "The schools involved are very widespread in all areas of Cumbria, and I am pleased to say the schools gardening is thriving." The scheme also includes assessments for the Royal Horticultural Society's It's Your Neighbourhood Awards, which aim to recognise community-led horticultural projects. Mr McIntosh said: "Volunteer groups from around Cumbria have registered for the Royal Horticultural Society's It's Your Neighbourhood Awards. "These are assessed by Cumbria in Bloom judges on behalf of the RHS. "There are so many varied group projects – from railway stations, café surrounds, museum gardens, woodland areas, church grounds, young people's activities, street corners to park areas." He also paid tribute to those who help make the competition possible. Mr McIntosh said: "Without the support of our sponsors, donations and volunteers, Cumbria in Bloom would not be possible, and I would like to thank all those individuals and businesses that support the awards." The Cumbria in Bloom awards will be presented at three ceremonies across the county in October.
