Expert Guide: Horsetail removal
This expert Horsetail Removal guide will explain why professional horsetail removal is vital and how to manage field horsetail effectively.
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invasive plants, amenity weeds & asbestos removal for commercial sectors
Specialists in multi-contaminant ground removal ideal for Construction, Civils, Developers and Property Management, and smart Amenity Weed Management ideal for Local Authorities.
Because no-one wants invasive plants or contaminated ground on their site – what should I do?
If you’re working in construction, development or property there’s a chance you could have invasive plants or ground contamination (such as asbestos). For construction and development this will mean your project gets put on immediate hold.
You will need to seek professional advice from a contractor licensed to deal with both invasive plants and asbestos. We’re a national contractor experienced and confident in handling multi-site or framework agreements, working closely with project managers, principal contractors and developers to deliver site-specific solutions. Our services are designed to minimise disruption, reduce risk, and support seamless project delivery:
- Identification – full survey and report.
- Treatment or removal – with a range of options.
- A range of excavation methods – including vacuum extraction for SSSI sites.
- Live reporting via Project-Dash – our bespoke project management system.
- Full works and waste tracking records – keeping your project compliant.
- Watching Brief (site supervision) service – where you may have the machinery and labour on-site but need site supervision to oversee, advise and instruct your team to carry out the works in a safe and compliant manner.
Quick Links
- Why is it important to take control of invasive plants and contaminated ground?
- What makes our Amenity Weed Management smarter?
- Low risk, highly effective services
- Ensuring public and environmental safety
- Project example: Removing Horsetail from an old army barracks for Bloor Homes
- BLOG: Invasive weed control in London
Page last reviewed 19.11.2025
Why is it important to take control of Invasive plants and contaminated ground?
If you leave invasive plants or ground contaminants on site they will cause project delays and issues on completion. For developers invasive plants left onsite will emerge in the new homeowner’s gardens – which is a headache best avoided. How we can help:
- We are specialists in dealing with all invasive plants, including the most prevalent – Himalayan balsam and Horsetail (or Marestail).
- We are fully licensed and equipped to remove ground contaminated with asbestos or other contaminants in soils.
- Take advantage of our Multi-contaminant Removal service – if we find both invasive plants and asbestos on site, we’ll remove both at the same time – a faster, cleaner, cost-effective option.
What makes our amenity weed management smarter?
Our Amenity Weed Management services are smarter – run by our in-house BASIS registered manager with a team of highly trained operatives using our specially designed quad bikes – we promise a massive 60%+ reduction in herbicide and water usage.
With quad teams working up and down the country, supported by an admin team to track and report on daily progress all contracts are run to maximum efficiency to help local authorities maintain more sustainable weed control.
We know that Integrated Weed Management is an important factor for most UK councils – which is why we will always look to factor in alternative methods if possible – and appropriate.
Invasive plant removal for commercial businesses – Low risk, highly effective services
As a fully licensed invasive weeds and contaminated ground removal contractor we understand that remediation costs for industrial areas may be of concern for commercial businesses. Which is why we work with you to provide site specific solutions, using highly efficient methods that are designed to keep your projects flowing. Here’s what you can expect from us:
- EFFICIENCY: National services geared to avoid costly delays or compliance breaches caused by invasive species or land contaminants.
- SPEED: Clear, short procurement pathway (survey → proposal → pre-project risk assessments → works delivery).
- RISK REDUCTION: A ‘safety-first’ and fully auditable contractor consistently awarded 100% H&S standards.
- COMPLIANCE: Fully accredited and qualified to work under CDM regulations.
- CONFIDENCE: Highly experienced in working with complex and SSSI sites and logistics.
- COMMUNICATION: Clear, concise and consistent from your initial one-to-one with our teams to receiving daily live reporting and key project updates via our Project Dash system.
ENSURING PUBLIC & ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
Public safety is paramount when we’re working on projects in public or open spaces, as we may use chemicals or machinery that are bound by H&S legislation.
Protecting the environment is equally important as we carefully manage what we do on site to ensure biosecurity measures are in place to maintain ecosystem balance. Read how we ensure our clients sites as well the environmental are kept safe whilst we’re working.
PROJECT EXAMPLE: REMOVING HORSETAIL FROM OLD ARMY BARRACKS
On this contract we were called in to remove Horsetail infesting an old army barracks site due to be developed by Bloor Homes.
As the site was planned for housing, excavation was the best option as with any rhizomatous plant any fragments of root left behind would generate new plants, leading to issues further down the line either during the build or sales phases.
Environment Controls was contracted to excavate the infested ground removing all contaminated soils and plant material. Find out how we achieved a clean ready fit for its intended development.
Why choose us
- National coverage, local teams
- Al-in-one Multi-contaminant removal
- In-house BASIS advisor
- Live reporting with ProjectDash
- Fully compliant with industry standards
