Chemical control

Chemical control methods, such as the use of systemic herbicides, may be required for invasive plant species that are encouraged by ground disturbance and those species that have extensive root (rhizome) systems such as Japanese knotweed. Due to the potential negative impacts on some non-target species it is recommend that herbicides are used only after other all other methods have been fully considered. For species such as Himalayan balsam physical control through hand pulling or strimming may be an alternative option to herbicide application yet for species such Japanese knotweed or giant hogweed it is unlikely other insitu control options will be available.

If a herbicide is to be used a systemic herbicide that will be absorbed by the plant’s root system, such as glyphosate based products. Depending on the invasive species being controlled the herbicide active ingredient may vary and subsequently the optimum time of application will vary. Landowners / managers should apply these products responsibly by carefully reading the Pesticide Product label and observing all safety recommendations and restrictions. For example plants such as Himalayan balsam or giant hogweed which spread by seed should be controlled in the early growing season prior to seeds forming, whereas plants such as Japanese knotweed which generally spreads by fragments are not dependent on this.

Avoid using herbicides on foggy days, windy days or if rain is forecast within twelve hours of application.  Care should be taken to apply the herbicide only to the target species and avoid affecting surrounding vegetation by run-off or drift.

  • Foliar application:

This type of treatment is usually applied with a sprayer such as a knapsack sprayer. It is an efficient way to treat large monocultures of invasive plants, or to spot-treat individual plants that are difficult to remove mechanically such as Japanese knotweed. For deep rooted species, such as Japanese knotweed, regrowth will occur in subsequent years, all be it much less vigorously, which will require follow up treatment at the appropriate time of year. Spot treatment will be required each year until no regrowth is observed.

  • Cut and inject treatment:

This methodology is sometimes used for Japanese knotweed control where for example the knotweed is mixed in with other sensitive vegetation such as a hedgerow. This treatment requires a higher concentration of the active ingredient than is used in foliar applications. In addition many of the recommended herbicides for foliar application are not approved for application by this method.  Treatments for Japanese knotweed, through the application of glyphosate based products, are most effective when applied in the early Autumn (Mid to Late Sept). In the case of Japanese knotweed the stems should be cut approximately 20- 30cms from the base of each cane. Subsequently approximately 10 mls of herbicide mix is injected into each cane at a ratio of 5:1 through the use of a specialist stem injection tool. Delaying the application will reduce the effectiveness of the treatment. Regrowth will occur in subsequent years, all be it much less vigorously, which will require follow up treatment at the appropriate time of year. Spot treatment will be required each year until no regrowth is observed. The cut Japanese knotweed canes must be treated with extra care. They can either be kept insitu, where it is possible to do so, and left ontop of plastic sheeting and subsequently monitored for any sign of regrowth (this is not recommended for a river bank habitat where there is the possibility of flooding occurring). They should not be placed in your green waste recycling bin. Alternatively the canes can be disposed of at a licensed landfill site for deep burial via the use of a licensed waste carrier. The landfill site must be notified that the waste material contains Japanese knotweed. Alternatively, through seeking the necessary exemptions to burn, the canes maybe burnt on site. 

  • Stump treatment:

Woody species such as Rhododendron ponticum or Cherry Laurel can be controlled through stump treatment. This methodology involves the stems being cut as close to the ground as possible, but not so close that you will lose track of them. For Rhododendron and Cherry Laurel apply herbicide, typically a glyphosate based product, directly to the cut surface as soon as possible after cutting. Delaying the application will reduce the effectiveness of the treatment. Alternatively the stumps are drilled and the herbicide is applied to the drilled hole.

  • Stem injection:

The stem injection method is sometimes used for Japanese knotweed control. This treatment requires a higher concentration of the active ingredient than is used in foliar applications. In addition many of the recommended herbicides for foliar application are not approved for application by this method. It involves the use of a specialist herbicide injection tool whereby the injection tool injects the herbicide directly into each of the canes approximately 20-30cms. from the base of each cane (between the 1st and 2nd nodule). Subsequently approximately 10 mls. of herbicide mix is injected into each cane at a ratio of 5:1 through the use of a specialist stem injection tool. The application of glyphosate based products, are most effective when applied in the early Autumn (Mid to Late Sept). Regrowth will occur in subsequent years, all be it much less vigorously, which will require follow up treatment at the appropriate time of year. Spot treatment will be required each year until no regrowth is observed.

Herbicides for control of invasive plants

During the application of any herbicide care must be taken to minimise the effects to any surrounding desirable vegetation. The herbicide selected must be used in compliance with the Pesticide Product Label and any conditions set out in it.  Herbicide users should ensure that they have read and familarised themselves with the Pesticide Code of Practice which advises on measures that can help to prevent against any potential impacts on non-target species such as pollinating insects (e.g. Bees).

As the approval status of herbicides can change, before using any product you should also search the Chemicals Regulation Directorate’s Pesticide Register of UK Approved Products. You can check the pesticides register at
www.pesticides.gov.uk/databases.asp.

It is recommended that professional herbicides are applied by a trained and suitably qualified operator. there are a range of companies which offer this service in Northern Ireland . Their details can be found via an internet or directory search. It is important to ensure the herbicide selected is of a high concentration of active ingredient to ensure a more effective spray. For example in the case of glyphosate based products it is recommended to use a product which contains at least 360 g/l of active ingredient. It is important to be aware that some herbicides brands, which contain glyphosate, are not approved for use in or near water. The Chemical Regulation Directorate website provides details of which herbicide products are licensed for aquatic use in their database search facility.

As of 2015 all professional users of pesticides must have a sprayer licence, dependant on the requirement of their particular job. This includes farmers, as ‘grandfather rights’ no longer apply.

Why do you need a spray licence?

By law all professional users of pesticides must have a sprayer licence. In the past farmers who were born before 31 December 1964 could spray their own land under an exemption called “Grandfather Rights”, however that is no longer the case. All professional users of pesticides must now have a licence, irrespective of age. So if you are spraying without a licence you are technically breaking the law.

What types of licence do you need?

Every type of machine/application needs a different licence.

Firstly, you need to take and pass a PA1 theory module before you can do the practical.

When you have your PA1, you can add the practical units you require:

  • PA2A – Tractor boom sprayer
  • PA2F – Weed-wiper
  • PA3A – Orchard sprayer
  • PA4S – Slug pellet applicator
  • PA6A – Knapsack sprayer
  • PA6AW – Knapsack sprayer in or near water
Invasive Species Northern Ireland

Invasive Species Northern Ireland