LAND across Worcestershire is being contaminated with one of the most invasive and difficult to control menaces, warns a pest control expert.

Dave Nash, managing director of Wythall based Pestbusters, said despite Japanese knotweed being highlighted as hazardous waste there appeared to be a widespread ignorance to its destructive capabilities.

“We are seeing more and more land contaminated across Worcestershire and in the West Midlands as a whole and there are many people who don’t realize just what this weed can do,” said Mr Nash.

“Most of the major lenders refuse mortgages now if Japanese Knotweed is anywhere in the vicinity, but despite this the public by and large remain unaware.”

Mr Nash said that last year the weed, when mature in late summer has hollow canes, can grow three metres high and have creamy white small flowers, cost the British economy hundreds of millions of pounds.

It has no known predators in the UK, spreads rapidly and can grow through masonry.

“We are certainly receiving far more calls than we were a few years ago to make sure we can stop contaminations from taking hold,” he said.

“As controlled waste it has to be burnt and as the roots bury so deep they can cause huge problems to buildings.

“We are now using a new herbicide which we believe to be the be the best current method.

“We inject the stems but although effective it can be a difficult job. Education for early preventative measures is clearly still the best way forward.”

For more information, visit pest-busters.co.uk.