Southwest Knotweed

Southwest Knotweed: professional invasive species control in the South West of England

Southwest Knotweed is a British company founded in 2011 that focuses on the identification, survey, treatment and eradication of Japanese knotweed and bamboo. Its declared area of operation covers Cornwall, Devon, Bristol, Somerset and Dorset, for both residential and commercial properties.

Specialised services

• Identification: recognition of the plant throughout the year, as its appearance varies from spring to winter.
• Surveys: reports compliant with RICS requirements for residential and commercial properties. The site indicated that residential surveys started at £250 plus VAT, with all assessments included.
• Mortgage reports: documents commonly requested by banks and building societies to support mortgage applications.
• Treatments: each site is assessed individually to determine the most appropriate treatment or removal method.
• Bamboo removal: a specific service for the removal of this plant.
• Invasive weed control: management of other invasive species in addition to Japanese knotweed.

Technical profile and qualifications

The company presents itself as a family-run business with CSJK-trained staff and PCA (Property Care Association) qualifications. Its teams carry out surveys and treatments aimed at ensuring mortgage compliance. The firm states that it holds PCA certification, the TrustMark seal and an insurance-backed guarantee, as well as management programmes for commercial and residential clients.

Coverage and territorial structure

Southwest Knotweed operates from Cornwall to Dorset, with teams distributed throughout the South West. The company distinguishes several service areas with their own contact lines: Cornwall, Devon, Bristol and Somerset, and Dorset. Its head office is located in St Austell, Cornwall.

Treatment methods and technical considerations

Among the methods used is stem injection, which the company reserves for fragile environments or those close to watercourses, and which it tries to avoid where possible due to the difficulty of controlling the dose. The firm notes that the chemicals used are safe for people and pets, although one of them is prohibited in certain circumstances and is only used in the appropriate situation. The company warns that chemical treatments do not completely eradicate the plant, although they may make it non-apparent, and that treated areas are still considered contaminated unless full removal has been carried out.

Guarantees and follow-up

Southwest Knotweed offers a guarantee that provides for free re-treatments as many times as necessary, a backing that can be useful in property sale processes when the buyer requires assurances. The company also stresses the importance of choosing contractors with the necessary training and qualifications, and warns that many operators in the sector lack them.

Frequently asked questions and advice

The site includes answers to common queries: Japanese knotweed is not toxic and can be eaten, with a taste similar to rhubarb; the landowner has a duty to prevent its spread; the sale of a home can fall through because of its presence, even if it is on neighbouring land; pulling it out by hand makes matters worse because fragments of rhizome generate new growth; it should not be composted; and absolute certainty of eradication is only achieved if every last centimetre of rhizome is removed and examined. The company offers a free identification service and the possibility of sending a photograph for assessment.

Location and contact

Unit 10 Carluddon Technology Park, Carluddon, St Austell, Cornwall PL26 8WE