Japanese Knotweed. The uninvited guest that is practically blacklisted from the blacklist. The hidden threat that causes soil erosion and destroys biodiversity. It’s hard to believe that one of the world’s most problematic invasive species was imported to Europe as an ornamental plant in the 1800s. Little did we know then about the serious consequences it would have, but fortunately the solution for Japanese Knotweed removal and total eradication lies in steamed soil.
Learn how to effectively remove Japanese Knotweed with sustainable soilsteaming treatment solutions. Discover the best practices for eradicating this invasive plant and protecting your landscape.
This is Japanese Knotweed
Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica) is a perennial plant from East Asia that has taken root in both Europe and North America. This plant is not just a minor annoyance; it is an invasive species that creates significant problems for both local ecosystems and the environment globally.
The plant looks somewhat like bamboo, with thick stems, large heart-shaped leaves, and small white flowers that appear in the summer. It spreads rapidly through small fragments of rhizomes that remain in the soil. This makes it very difficult to control.
Nature’s Troublemaker
Japanese Knotweed is like a bully in the plant world – it chokes and displaces other plants by growing in dense clusters that prevent light and water from reaching other species. This leads to reduced biodiversity, which is bad news for insects, birds, and animals that rely on the original plants for food and shelter.
The UN has identified the spread of invasive species as one of the top five threats to global biodiversity. In Europe, the EU Water Framework Directive has mandated that Japanese Knotweed removal must be controlled to protect ecosystems and water quality.
Much of the blame for its spread lies with us humans – when we move soil, dispose of garden waste improperly, or mow roadsides, we actually help Japanese Knotweed spread.
Japanese Knotweed Causes Soil Degredation
One of the biggest but least visible problems with Japanese Knotweed removal is that it causes soil erosion. The UN has recently declared that soil is a very limited resource and warns that we could lose significant amounts in the next 60 years if we don’t take action. Japanese Knotweed’s roots go deep and spread far to the sides. If even a small fragment of the root is left in the soil, it is likely to lead to new plant growth. As a result, large amounts of soil must be removed each time this plant is eradicated. The outcome? Loss of valuable topsoil, which we need to ensure global food security.
Explosive Invasion and Costly Consequences
In Norway, Japanese Knotweed has spread like wildfire over the past few decades, and the same is happening in other European countries such as the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, and the UK. According to Hans Kristian Westrum, founder of SoilSteam, invasive species cost Norwegian society between 1.4 and 3.6 billion NOK annually. And despite efforts to stop them, the spread continues. Westrum states plainly: “Fighting Japanese Knotweed is nearly impossible.”
“Fighting Japanese Knotweed is both difficult, time-consuming, and costly,” says Westrum. He emphasizes that the battle against such invasive species requires new and innovative solutions.
Japanese Knotweed Removal, with steam!
Forget the old methods of cutting, digging and chemicals – they haven’t worked well and have significant negative effects on the environment. The solution is to treat the soil, not the plant itself. SoilSteam has developed a brilliant technology that heats the soil with steam until it reaches a temperature that kills all root fragments and seeds of invasive species, such as Japanese Knotweed, in a sustainable way. This process sterilizes the soil and makes it ready for reuse.
Although steaming will impact the micro-life in the soil, our research project “ResourceReturn,” in collaboration with NIBIO, shows that healthy soil life reestablishes itself quickly after steaming.
This method also preserves our topsoil, which is a vital resource for both us and future generations. Steam treatment not only ensures that we eliminate invasive species but also safeguards our precious topsoil instead of letting it go to waste.
The SoilSaver™ removes Japanese Knotweed
A unique machine built on world-leading technology that sterilizes and recycles soil with steam. By injecting pure steam into soil containing invasive alien species (IAS), weeds, or soil-borne diseases, SoilSaver™ sterilizes the soil and restores the growth environment. Clean soil. No chemicals!
Let’s Do This Together
Japanese Knotweed removal and eradicating other invasive species is not something we can do alone. It requires a collective effort from governments, researchers, and everyday people. We must use effective and sustainable methods like soil steaming to protect our ecosystems and ensure a safe future.
As the UN says: “Taking action now is crucial to preserving the world’s biodiversity for future generations.” It’s time for all of us to step up and fight this hidden enemy – for the sake of nature.
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