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Giant Hogweed Info
What is GIANT HOGWEED?
Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) is one of the most invasive plants in the UK. It spreads quickly and dominates native plants. It’s sap can cause severe chemical burns if it comes in contact with a person’s skin.
What does GIANT HOGweed look like?
Giant Hogweed seedlings emerge in spring as small jagged leaves. The stems have fine hairs on them full of the Giant Hogweed's toxic sap. The stems are thick, ridged and hollow. The Giant Hogweed stems are green with purple speckles on them. By the time the Giant Hogweed has fully grown, its leaves may be as long as 1 metre and the stems could be 4 to 5 metres tall. The flower heads are umbrella-shaped and covered with thousands of tiny white flowers. After flowering, the plant produces many seeds- some plants may have more than 10,000 seeds at one time! Click here to see the Giant Hogweed ID pics.
WHat damage can GIant HOGweed cause?
Giant Hogweed is a photoxic plant which means the sap of this plant becomes toxic when exposed to UV rays. If the sap comes into contact with human skin it can cause inflammation and blistering if exposed to sunlight or UV rays. It also damages ecosystems, reducing biodiversity by dominating native plants.
How can you kill Giant Hogweed?
There are several options for controlling and eradicating Giant Hogweed. The most common method is herbicide treatment of Giant hogweed, however, factors such as timescale, location of the infestation and its surrounding environment may limit the choice of treatment options. Giant Hogweed treatment options include Herbicide Treatment, Dig & Dump, On Site Burial, Bund Creation, Cutting. Click here for further info.
Giant hogweed Treatment Methods
Herbicide Treatment – Qualified and competent personnel are permitted to use herbicides to control and eliminate Giant Hogweed. The application method and specific chemical used will depend on factors such as the infestations proximity to watercourses and local wildlife.
Burial – If time is a factor and it is unfeasible to wait for the numerous growing seasons that herbicide treatment may take to eradicate an infestation Giant Hogweed, an infestation can be excavated and buried on site. All material contaminated with Giant Hogweed is encased in a root barrier membrane that prevents further growth and buried at a depth greater than 5m below the surface to prevent the material being disturbed and re-infesting the area.
Relocation & Herbicide Treatment – If burial on site is not an option a bund can be created by designating an area of the site to place all material and soil contaminated with Giant Hogweed. The bund is then treated with herbicide allowing the original area of infestation to be developed or managed without the presence of Giant Hogweed being an issue. This method can be applied if there is sufficient time and space to relocate contaminated material and treat it on site, preventing the high costs of disposing Giant Hogweed at a licensed waste management facility off site.
Cutting – Japanese knotweed stems can be cut and dried out however this will only address the growth above ground and will take many years to effectively control the infestation without the use of chemicals or digging out the Japanese knotweed rhizome.
Burning – This method may be used to eliminate Giant Hogweed seeds and clear and area of unsightly dead plants in Autumn or Winter. It will not prevent new seedlings from appearing in springtime.
Burial – If time is a factor and it is unfeasible to wait for the numerous growing seasons that herbicide treatment may take to eradicate an infestation Giant Hogweed, an infestation can be excavated and buried on site. All material contaminated with Giant Hogweed is encased in a root barrier membrane that prevents further growth and buried at a depth greater than 5m below the surface to prevent the material being disturbed and re-infesting the area.
Relocation & Herbicide Treatment – If burial on site is not an option a bund can be created by designating an area of the site to place all material and soil contaminated with Giant Hogweed. The bund is then treated with herbicide allowing the original area of infestation to be developed or managed without the presence of Giant Hogweed being an issue. This method can be applied if there is sufficient time and space to relocate contaminated material and treat it on site, preventing the high costs of disposing Giant Hogweed at a licensed waste management facility off site.
Cutting – Japanese knotweed stems can be cut and dried out however this will only address the growth above ground and will take many years to effectively control the infestation without the use of chemicals or digging out the Japanese knotweed rhizome.
Burning – This method may be used to eliminate Giant Hogweed seeds and clear and area of unsightly dead plants in Autumn or Winter. It will not prevent new seedlings from appearing in springtime.
Giant Hogweed Pics
Giant Hogweed Treatment Methods
The most suitable treatment method for eradicating Giant Hogweed will depend on a number of factors such as the infestation's proximity to buildings, watercourses and local wildlife. The timescale for completion of the project will also influence the choice of Giant Hogweed treatment. The treatment options are below:
Herbicide Spraying
Qualified and competent personnel are permitted to use herbicide spray to control and eliminate Japanese knotweed. The application method and specific chemical used will depend on factors such as the infestations proximity to watercourses and local wildlife.
Stem injection
Using a specialist stem injector tool, herbicide is applied directly into the Giant Hogweed stem. Whilst this allows for targeted treatment of the Giant Hogweed with minimal risk to surrounding plants and the environment, it does bring the operative into direct contact wiht the Giant Hogweed plants.
weed wiping
Herbicide is applied directly to the leaves and stems of the Giant Hogweed plants by using a weed-wiper. This eliminates the possibly of herbicide drifting on to nearby plants, as can happen with spraying.
dig & dump (offsite disposal)
Giant Hogweed is mechanically excavated and loaded into a suitable container or vehicle then it's taken for disposal at a licensed landfill site. This method is quick and effective.
Relocation & Herbicide treatment
Giant Hogweed can be excavated and relocated on site, then treated with herbicide until eradication is complete. This allows the original location of the infestation to be developed or managed without the presence of Giant Hogweed being an issue. This method can be used if there is sufficient time and space to relocate the contaminated material and treat it on site. This method removes the potentially high costs of disposing Giant Hogweed at a licensed waste management facility off site.
on-site burial
If time is a factor and it is unfeasible to wait for the many years that herbicide treatment may take to eradicate an infestation, Giant Hogweed can be excavated and buried on site. All Giant Hogweed and the surrounding soil is encased in a root barrier membrane that prevents further growth and buried at a depth to prevent the material being disturbed and re-infesting the area.
Burning
If a Giant Hogweed treatment programme commences after the Giant Hogweed has already produced seeds then it may be necessary to remove the seed heads and dispose of them. In some locations, burning the seed heads on site is the most suitable way to eliminate them. Burning the dead stems may improve the look of the site, however, it won't prevent new seedlings emerging from the soil in spring.
Other Giant Hogweed Services
ON Site supervision / watching brief
Our team will be on site to supervise development works to ensure compliance with environmental legislation and to prevent the spread of Giant Hogweed. Accurate records of the site works will be produced and submitted to the client.
decontamination
Our team will establish a decontamination area to allow for cleaning of machinery, footwear, tools etc. to be decontaminated prior to leaving the Giant Hogweed area.
soil analysis & reporting
Soil samples will be collected and taken to a lab for analysis. A full report on the soil will be produced. This service may be required if off-site disposal or on-site burial of Giant Hogweed are being considered to achieve eradication.
Giant Hogweed Eradication Process
1. survey
A professional Giant Hogweed site survey is an integral part of the treatment programme for controlling this invasive non-native weed.
Our team provide comprehensive site surveys which identify the extent of the Giant Hogweed infestation, the potential impact on the environment and the intended use of the site.
Giant Hogweed needs to be controlled swiftly and effectively to protect both the environment and the individual’s legal obligation.
By responding quickly to enquiries, we help minimise the spread of Giant Hogweed and keep the costs associated with treating this weed as low as possible. To book a Giant Hogweed survey fill in your details below:
Our team provide comprehensive site surveys which identify the extent of the Giant Hogweed infestation, the potential impact on the environment and the intended use of the site.
Giant Hogweed needs to be controlled swiftly and effectively to protect both the environment and the individual’s legal obligation.
By responding quickly to enquiries, we help minimise the spread of Giant Hogweed and keep the costs associated with treating this weed as low as possible. To book a Giant Hogweed survey fill in your details below:
2. proposal
We issue a proposal document after we have completed a Giant Hogweed site survey. The proposal details our findings from the survey, quantifies the Giant Hogweed on site and on adjacent land (as far as possible) and lists the options for controlling the Giant Hogweed present. Often there are several Giant Hogweed treatment options available, each with different timescales for completion and prices for each option.
3. MANAGEMENT PLAN
Once a survey has been done, a site specific Giant Hogweed Management Plan will be written. The management plan includes all relevant site information and identifies a strategy for eradication of the Giant Hogweed and ensures compliance with relevant environmental legislation such as the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011.
4. TREATMENT
The most appropriate treatment method for eradication of the Giant Hogweed will have been identified in the Giant Hogweed Management Plan. Treatment* will take place and the treatment programme will run until eradication has been achieved.
*Treatment is a term used for any of the eradication methods, e.g. herbicide spraying is a treatment. Mechanical removal and disposal of Giant Hogweed at landfill is also classed a treatment.
*Treatment is a term used for any of the eradication methods, e.g. herbicide spraying is a treatment. Mechanical removal and disposal of Giant Hogweed at landfill is also classed a treatment.
5. MONITORING
Upon completion of the Giant Hogweed treatment programme, a monitoring period will run for at least 2 years. Monitoring is done to ensure that any regrowth is controlled before it can become well-established. Monitoring visits take place during the months when active growth would be visible (May-September).
6. GUARANTEE
An insurance back guarantee (IBG) will be issued once the treatment period and 2 years of monitoring have finished. The IBG will run for either 5 or 10 years. Click here for further info on our Giant Hogweed Guarantee.
Giant Hogweed Guarantee
Once the Giant Hogweed treatment programme is complete, we will issue an Insurance Backed Guarantee. We will monitor the site annually to ensure that in the unlikely event of reoccurrence, the Giant Hogweed will be dealt with swiftly. Our clients have peace of mind knowing that INNSA will still honour our guarantees even if we are unable to do so due to insolvency. If this were to happen, any remedial works would be completed by an alternative INNSA contractor at no additional cost you other than the first £100 for which you would be responsible.
Giant Hogweed Do's & Don'ts
If you think you have discovered Giant Hogweed on or near your property
DOKnow what Giant Hogweed looks like! Being able to identify it in all seasons will help you remain vigilant and spot potential infestations on your property quickly.
Restrict access to the affected area! People can be badly injured by the plants' toxic sap. even small infestations can spread rapidly if disturbed. Respect the environment! Chemicals used to control Giant Hogweed can be harmful so unless you are qualified to use herbicides then leave it to the experts! |
DON'TTouch! Giant hogweed contains a toxic sap that can cause severe burns.
Uproot! Disturbing the ground where Giant Hogweed is growing can cause more seed to germinate. Also, it may cause seeds to fall from the plant. Seed can easily be carried on clothing, footwear and tools to later fall and produce new Giant Hogweed growth. Dump! Giant Hogweed is classed as controlled waste and must be disposed of at a licensed facility. It is illegal to allow Giant Hogweed to spread in the wild and if disposed of incorrectly you may be liable to prosecution under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Delay! Everyday that passes without taking action or carrying out effective methods of control, Giant Hogweed becomes better established and harder to eliminate. Contact IWA and we will be able to give you clear and practical advice to successfully rid your property of Giant Hogweed! |