Friday Wrap-Up 25th July

This week, the CoyleEnv team were out in the stunning Ballina, Co. Mayo, carrying out a Habitat Survey – not a bad spot for fieldwork!

While exploring the local ecology, we came across some rather unwelcome guests: Japanese Knotweed, Bohemian Knotweed, and Himalayan Knotweed. These invasive species might sound like something out of a botanical travel brochure, but in reality, they pose serious risks to Ireland’s native habitats.

Why is knotweed a problem? 

These vigorous plants can: 

🔹 Outcompete native flora & reduces biodiversity, especially along rivers, roadsides

🔹 You can be held legally responsible if it spreads from your land to a neighbouring land

🔹 Its aggressive root system (rhizomes) exploit weaknesses in structures, which is a major worry for developers and homeowners in terms of cost.

It’s important to remember cutting or strimming knotweed can make it spread even faster. If you think you might have it on your land you need to know for sure and it needs professional removal to completely eradicate it.