Legislation and government directives place a growing emphasis on the need to control the spread of invasive plants in the UK. Environment Controls is all about helping businesses and people to learn about biosecurity measures that must be taken on sites with infestation.
Below we outline the two main reasons invasive plants are harmful, to both the environment and to humans.
BIODIVERSITY THREAT
According to the World Conservation Union, invasive species are the second most significant threat to biodiversity after habitat loss. Invasive species can cause extinctions of native plants and animals, competing with native organisms for limited resources, and altering habitats.
Currently there are nearly 200 known species of non-native invasive weeds growing across the country, causing significant issues for land owners, homeowners and the construction industry as well as affecting the use of amenity areas, highways and public open spaces. Aquatic invasive weeds continue to be a growing concern, with waterways being affected by overgrowth of out-competing invasive species. We must limit the damage by taking control.
Whilst not all invasive species are harmful to man or the environment, most will require some level of control, or even complete eradication. We use a range of specialist treatment methods, each one chosen to give the best short and long-term solutions to any weed problem, and with the least impact on the diverse ecosystems.
toxic species
Some terrestrial species such as Giant hogweed and hemlock have extremely high toxicity levels, causing harm to humans and wildlife if touched, disturbed or ingested. Other native invasive species such as Common ragwort which has its own Ragwort Code of Practice, contain chemicals that are harmful to livestock, and Horsetail if ingested by horses can be fatal.
Our field operatives are experts at spotting and handling these noxious weeds. Keeping health & safety front of mind at all times is key to protecting the public as well as our staff, who continuously undertake training to ensure that when applying treatments they follow the BASIS code of practice. We also provide external CPD style training on identifying species.