subject: The Japanese Knotweed Problem And Its Impact On Mortgages [print this page] Property market experts and analysts are raising their concern about the emergence of a major menace to property owners known as Japanese knotweed. Those who are seriously considering selling their homes or those who are looking for an upgrade will have to recognize the potential threat to the property by this highly destructive and aggressive perennial.
Homeowners who are applying for mortgages will also have to acknowledge the fact that Japanese knotweed can be a potential deal breaker. This means that mortgage companies may not accept the mortgage application on a real property that is being ravaged by Japanese knotweed. Thus, the presence of this foliage within a property may pose some serious problems on its structural integrity and lenders may deem it necessary to reconsider any application for mortgage.
Japanese Knotweed - Highly Destructive Perennial
Japanese knotweed is a type of herbaceous foliage that grows at a rapid rate of as fast as 10 cm on a daily basis. It thrives on any type of soil. Today, this highly invasive and destructive perennial is now a major problem of homeowners in Britain and Scotland. Japanese knotweed is a native of the Asian region, and is known to have proliferated in waste ground locations as well as areas that are in close proximity to volcanoes. During the early part of the 19th century, it was primarily grown in several countries as domestic ornamentals. It was also used as feedstock for grazing cattle.
Because of the inherent resiliency of this perennial, the control of its growth and spread became a major problem. Under extreme conditions, Japanese knotweed can flourish up to a point that it would overwhelm and prevent the growth of other plants. However, the most destructive effect of Japanese knotweed is on the home as it can break through cement and other solid structures and compromise the structural integrity of the home.
Solutions to Japanese Knotweed Problems
Treatment and control of Japanese knotweed is anchored on its death and the eventual prevention of the foliage from growing out of the ground. This means that you need to adopt an intervention program that will terminate the growth and spread of the extensive root system of Japanese knotweed. And because of the highly invasive and destructive nature of the weed, most of these solutions would take years before the infestation is kept under control. Suffice it to say, the best solution would require early detection and immediate implementation of the treatment protocol. Thus, you need to pursue an early implementation of the appropriate Japanese knotweed treatment protocol.
There are 3 treatment protocols which you can adopt to control and eradicate Japanese knotweed. These treatment protocols can be used to neutralize the growth and spread of this highly destructive weed.
* Herbicide treatment
* Stem Injection
* Hand sponge solution
In extreme cases, excavation may be the only option. However, this aggressive approach will still require follow-up treatment through long-term herbicide application.
