UK households are being warned to rip out four invasive summer plants – before they knock £25,000 off your house value.
Summer might be a glorious time to go out into the garden and enjoy your green space, but it’s also a time things can get out of control quite quickly if you fail to keep on top of it while the summer sun is making everything explode into life (including the things you don’t want to). Property experts Construction Megastore are now telling homeowners to look for and remove four plant species which grow in the summer and can cost you a lot of money in repairs, as well as reduce your home’s value.
They said: “Property experts at Construction Megastore are warning homeowners about four invasive plant species that grow in summer, which can cost you £££ in property repairs.
“It is estimated that around 900,000 UK homes are affected by Japanese knotweed, reducing the value of these properties by around 10% on average, according to research by Environet. And warmer weather means that knotweed, ivy and hogweed become more prevalent in summer.”
Property expert Robert Quinton at Construction Megastore Building Materials has outlined four invasive summer plants that result in extortionate repair costs, and how to remove them.
Japanese knotweed
Robert says: “Japanese knotweed is a fast-growing plant with bamboo-like stems, reddish shoots, and spade-shaped leaves. It can reach up to three metres in height and its roots can spread up to 20 metres underground. This makes it particularly hazardous when growing near homes, as it can compromise building foundations and damage underground pipework. If spotted close to your property, it’s important to remove it quickly and with professional help as the plant can reduce a home’s value by £25,000.
“The good news is that it is possible to tackle Japanese knotweed if you’ve found it on your property. The plant can either be completely dug out and disposed of, or it can be treated in situ with herbicide. Though using chemicals is cheaper, treatment can take a long time, potentially several years. It also limits how you can use the land afterwards because you must avoid awakening any dormant pieces of rhizome. Digging out can cost around £10,000 for a relatively small amount of Japanese knotweed on a domestic property.”
English Ivy
Robert adds: “Although ivy can add a charming aesthetic to your property’s brickwork, it often does more harm than good. It tends to cling to walls and can creep into small cracks, eventually damaging mortar and creating routes for damp to set in – sometimes leading to serious leaks, and eventually mould. While it’s possible to remove ivy yourself, it is important to wear gloves while doing so, as the sap may irritate the skin. The roots can generally be tackled with relative ease using basic tools.”
Giant Hogweed
Robert explains: “Easily recognisable by its thick, purple-blotched stems and clusters of small white flowers, giant hogweed is a highly invasive species commonly found near water. While it doesn’t harm buildings directly, its sap is phototoxic, meaning it can cause severe skin burns when exposed to sunlight. Removing this plant can be very costly, averaging around £15,000. This means that if you plan on selling your home, prospective buyers may negotiate a lower price if the plant is found on your property.
“Due to the serious risks involved in dealing with giant hogweed, the safest option is to bring in a professional weed removal company. They’ll have the right protective gear to keep themselves safe and will usually be registered to dispose of the plant legally and responsibly. That said, if you’re dealing with a small patch, it is possible to tackle it yourself, but make sure to wear gloves and keep your skin fully covered to avoid injury.”
Himalayan balsam
Robert adds: “You can spot Himalayan balsam from its pink flowers, but it’s a highly invasive species that can damage any local biodiversity. If left unmanaged, it spreads rapidly and can overwhelm gardens and surrounding areas. Allowing it to encroach on your neighbour’s garden could even result in legal consequences and fines, so it’s important to control its growth.
“The most effective way to tackle Himalayan balsam is by hand-pulling or cutting it back, ideally before it starts to flower. When pulling it up, make sure to remove the whole plant, roots and all, to stop it from growing back. In thicker patches, cutting the stems below the lowest node can also work well to keep it under control.”