‘Avoid at all costs’ experts warn as ‘Japanese knotweed 2.0’ destroys people’s homes – here’s how to get rid of it

EXPERTS have issued a warning over a 1990s gardening trend that is destroying people’s homes and could cost up to £100,000 in damage.

Bamboo is an increasingly popular plant to grow as it requires little effort to care for, but left to its own devices it can soon overgrow, destroying other plants and even your home.

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Emily Grant, operations director at UK-based invasive plant specialist Environet, said: “This is Japanese knotweed 2.0.

“I think 15 years ago, every week the gardening programs showed people planting bamboo, it was literally everywhere.

“The extent of his popularity is very evident now. It was the ‘thing’ 15 years ago. But it can quickly get out of control.”

One homeowner who knows this all too well is Isobel Chetwood, who claims her neighbour’s bamboo has ruined her garden and the damage will cost £10,000 to repair.

Isobel hadn’t noticed the property next door to her in Cheshire had planted the bamboo.

Known to be the fastest growing plant, it has sprouted out of control and taken over several nearby gardens.

Sprouts began to appear in the beds that Isobel had created for planting strawberries.

Starting to deal with the problem by cutting the shoots, the retiree soon discovered that she was fighting a losing battle.

And when she told the owner of the house next door, he treated the bamboo with herbicide in an attempt to keep it from getting out of control.

However, the product actually triggered the bamboo and made it grow faster.

Isobel then had no other option but to seek professional help.

She said Cheshire live: “I ordered Environet to carry out a survey of the infestation and sent it to the owner; I think that’s when he realized we needed professional help.

“Fortunately, his landlord safe covered the cost of excavating the bamboo on my side of the fence, but had to pay for it to be removed from your side as it had been deliberately planted by the tenants.”

She is now advising everyone to avoid buying and planting bamboo as the problem could take thousands of pounds out of pocket.

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A mechanical excavator was needed to cut the bamboo from the roots.

Part of the patio also had to be dug up after its slides were embedded underneath.

Bamboo is removed by digging the root out of the ground and eliminating every stalk on the planet.

It can cost more than £3,500 to go through the process.

I would recommend anyone thinking about planting bamboo to think twice and if you already have it growing in your garden take steps now to ensure it is properly contained

Nick SeloFounder and Managing Director of Environet UK

In one costly case in 2022, a bamboo infestation reached the concrete floor of a property in Hampshire.

The roots crossed the boundary and went under the neighboring property before breaking through the concrete ground floor.

It continued to grow through the property’s hollow walls and could have forced the walls apart if it had not been treated.

The ground floor of the property had to be excavated and hundreds of meters of bamboo rhizomes removed.

The home insurance claim for the damage was reportedly over £100,000, according to the Express.

In a YouGov survey of 2,000 people last year, it was found that almost a fifth (18 percent) of British adults had bamboo at home or in an adjacent property.

However, only 24 percent of people would be concerned if the plant grew near their homes, despite the threat of damage.

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Bamboo roots can travel more than 10 meters and pass through bricks, drains, hollow walls, patios and gaps. target weaknesses or cracks in concrete, similar in shape to the dreaded Japanese Knotweed.

Nic Seal, founder and MD of Environet UK, said: “The truth is that most bamboos are invasive if planted directly into the ground and left to their own devices.

“It is regrettable that bamboo is still sold in garden centers and plant nurseries across the country with little warning about the risks.

“I would recommend anyone thinking about planting bamboo to think twice and, if you already have it growing in your garden, take steps now to ensure it is properly contained.”

The most invasive plants in the UK

Several non-native species have been introduced to the UK over the years. These are the most problematic plants to keep in mind in your garden.

Japanese Knotweed

It is an offense under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to cultivate Japanese Knotweed.

It may not be poisonous, is extremely fast growing and can seriously damage buildings, paving and structures.

Giant Nut

It may look quite attractive, but Giant Hogweed can be very dangerous.

The plant’s sap is toxic and can cause burns or blisters if it comes into contact with the skin.

Himalayan Balm

Himalayan balsam is another plant you need to look out for.

It produces a variety of beautiful pink flowers, but one plant is said to be capable of spreading 2,500 seeds, which are “thrown” a distance of seven meters.

And like other invasive plants, Himalayan balsam destroys other plants, growing up to three feet tall, taking away sunlight for smaller plants.

New Zealand Pygmyweed

New Zealand pygmyweed is an aquatic plant that can wreak havoc in still waters such as lakes and ponds, or even slow-moving waters such as canals.

It also affects animals such as frogs, fish and newts as it can form a dense mat on the surface of the water, thus depriving the water of oxygen.

Rhododendron

An incredibly beautiful plant loved by many gardeners, but the rhododendron is technically classified as an invasive species due to its rapid growth in forests.

Unlike other invasive species mentioned on this list, it is not recommended to completely remove or kill rhododendrons, but rather to take extra care to control their growth by trimming and pruning them regularly.