SPECIALIST HIMALAYAN BALSAM CONTROL SERVICES

OUR SPECIALIST CONTROL SERVICES WILL TREAT OR ERADICATE THIS SPECIES. TO FIND OUT IF YOU HAVE HIMALAYAN BALSAM USE OUR FREE ID TOOL OR BOOK A SURVEY

TREATMENT AND REMOVAL

There are several treatment options for Himalayan balsam including hand-pulling. This method involves breaking the stems which can then be left in situ to die off. It can also be treated with herbicide or completely dug out – but this must be done by a trained professional if the result is required to be permanent. Treatment is best carried out before the seed pods appear to avoid further spread. As the plant waste is deemed as special ‘controlled waste’ it will need to be taken to a suitably licensed landfill.

To find out the best way to remove Himalayan balsam and the best time of year to have treatment or excavation carried out get in touch. Read more on Himalayan balsam here.

WHY IS HIMALAYAN BALSAM A PROBLEM?

This plant is listed as a Schedule 9 species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, therefore it is an offence to plant or allow to spread into the wild as it will quickly take over habitats. It is not illegal to plant on your own property but it is an offence to allow it to spread onto other properties.

The scale of this plant and its capacity to form very dense thickets is similar to Japanese knotweed, therefore causes similar issues, especially for access and removal. However, unlike Japanese knotweed the cut down waste material can be left onsite.

The other major issue with this plant is its capacity to profligate via seed dispersal. The large seed pods which when touched explode, dispersing the seeds up to 7m away.

ABOUT HIMALAYAN BALSAM

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Impatiens glandulifera
ORIGIN: Himalayas

Himalayan (or Indian) balsam is an annual herb that was introduced to Britain in 1839. Its common name is ‘Policeman’s Helmet’ due to the shape of the flowers. A native of the western Himalayas, it is the tallest annual plant in the British Isles, growing up to 3m high.

• Trumpet shape wide petals.
• Pink (rarely white) petals.
• Leaves grow in opposite directions, or in whorls of 3 to 5, with finely serrated edges.
• Seed capsules are around 2.5cm long hanging on red stalks between June and October.
• Stem is green to red early in the year, pink to red in summer.
• Stems are hollow, sappy, fleshy and brittle.

HABITAT

Most commonly found in woodlands, along riverbanks and in areas of damp ground. Also found growing in amenity or urban areas, such as highways, footpaths and green open spaces.

IMPACT: MEDIUM- HIGH

Provides a significant ecological impact especially in riparian environments since it grows in dense stands that have the capacity to completely suppress native grasses and other flora. In the autumn the plants die off leaving riverbanks bare and therefore highly susceptible to erosion.

TOXICITY: ZERO

Himalayan balsam presents no physical danger to either humans or animals.