I know have 3 customers with Japanese Knotweed in their gardens. One potential customer I refused to work for because of it. I think I overreacted a bit. Because I was worried about transferring it to the other gardens. The other gardens I dont need to lawnmow so no risk there.
My questions:
1. A good website or manual on Jap Knotweed, its life cycle, propagation, eradication.
2. I am thinking of taking up the PA courses and specialise in Knotweed eradication (and the other two invaders). Has anyone done this and is specialised? Is it worth it if you only come across it a few times a year? Unless of course affected customers actively seek you out?
I could not find that many firms in my neck of the woods that offer this exclusively.
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Replies
Hi Daniela,
There is a lot of hype around JKW - emotion has a large part to play now it can be a make or break when it comes to selling your house - we have heard from a few people who have lost out after potential buyers have walked away when JKW has been 'suspected' in a survey - not even positively identified!
There is a wealth of knowledge but worth looking to reputable sources like INNSA: http://www.innsa.org/ or the Non Native species secretariat: www.nonnativespecies.org
For proper eradication you will need to know the legal ins & outs of digging/ removing and disposing off site, burying on site and treatment methods available. Stem injection, for example, is now a separate part to the PA6 if you have done training for PA1/ PA6 after January 2015 so best to check - ( likewise PA6aw and now even using ecoplugs is a separate test).
We have test centres around the country so let us know where you are - we are also some of the few people in the country to have done the BASIS qualification in Invasive & Injurious species.
Regards
Richard@Progreen
(01778) 394052
Hi Daniela,
Richard's correct about house sales. My other half is a mortgage broker and has known refusals if it comes up in a survey. Even a small amount that's easily treatable is a potential mortgage problem.
One thing to consider is how long you'd need to guarantee your eradication service for, and what insurance cover you'd need.
I was wondering in I only need PA1 and then the injecting course as I would never be interested in the sprayer course.
Hi Daniela,
It seems possible to do just the PA1 and PA6INJ (unit 156) 'Operating Hand held Pesticide Injection Equipment' rather than do the PA6A spraying part as well. We are looking into courses in your area, as discussed.
Richard@ Progreen
Great. I will await the info.
I understand all the City and Guilds PA1 PA6 etc qualifications have all been changed/ updated but some centres haven't updated their training as yet etc but of course will still be valid.
Smaller stems, especially after first year's treatment >8mm are too small to inject so normally require foliar spray at some stage.
Mortgage companies are getting more demanding on their requirements including 3 years treatment paid up from, 10 year + treatment guarantees etc.
PCA (http://www.property-care.org/) and INNSA (http://www.innsa.org/) are 2 trade bodies for invasive species that can offer insurance back guaranteed but have rightly so tough criteria for membership lengthy application process requiring their own specific training/ assessment.
Thats my problem it seems, I cannot find any training close to me. The closest is about an hours drive away from me in deep Kent.
I looked at the INNSA website. Not much info on there, in fact the download link is not there and it goes into a loop on some pages.
Also ISO 9001 and 14001 are quite expensive. Too much for just me at this time.
I I think I will just stick to get my PA1 and PA6 stem injection.
If the plant is too small to inject I will just wait until it is large enough.
I am not looking for the large contracts just the odd back garden here and there.
What confuses me though is where the knotweed is coming from in one of the gardens I look after. It clearly sat on the fence and there are buds on both sides of the fence. Both neighbors state its from the other garden, not theirs. Looking round I see no other knotweed in any of the neighboring gardens all round. So how did that patch make it to that area?
It only takes 0.7gm - the size of a pea to be brought into a site to infect an area and the knotweed doesn't know where the boundary is and it doesn't really matter where it originated as they both need a coordinated treatment plan!
I have to travel 4 hours for the PCA courses and exams so 1 hour isn't far and was an investment for me as knotweed and other invasives is my business so a little different. Extra exams and membership have to be worth it for you.
Are there any grants or bursaries for you locally? There was for some course costs here in Wales.
Good luck whatever you decide!
Yeap I agree James