JAPANESE knotweed is a gardener’s worst nightmare.

Invasive plant specialists, Environet, have revealed the Cheshire hotspots for the pesky plant in 2024.

Using data submitted to their interactive online tracker, Exposed, Environet has found that Northwich is the fourth worst affected area in the county, with 116 verified reports this year.

Emily Grant, director of Environet, said: “With more than 60,000 known infestations of Japanese knotweed on our heatmap, we have a clear picture of its prevalence across the England and Wales.

“Knotweed is easily identifiable during summer, but it’s a perennial plant so as we head through the autumn and into winter, the above-ground growth dies back and it becomes much harder to spot.”

2024 Japanese knotweed hotspots in Cheshire2024 Japanese knotweed hotspots in Cheshire (Image: Environet)

Top of the pile in Cheshire is Warrington, where 284 incidences of Japanese knotweed were reported to Environet.

Warrington is closely followed by St Helens (242), with Widnes coming in third (121).

Chester (110) completes the top five Cheshire hotspots.

Across the county, there have been a total of 1,319 verified knotweed sightings.

This makes Cheshire the 13th worst affected county in England.

Knotweed will start to die back over the next few weeks as temperatures cool and light levels drop, sending the plant into its dormant winter phase.

Leaves will fall from the branches, the stems will turn brown and brittle and after the first few frosts the plant will have completely died back.

However, it will re-emerge next spring.

As such, now is the ideal time to excavate the weed, while the garden is not in use.

On how to keep your garden free of Japanese knotweed, Environet’s director said: “The best way to protect your property is to be aware of the risks and ensure you can identify knotweed at different times of the year.

“If you do have knotweed on your property, it’s wise to act immediately to treat or remove it before it has the chance to spread further.

“With professional assistance knotweed can be dealt with and the value of a property largely restored.

“If you’re buying or selling a property, consider instructing a Japanese knotweed survey to check for any sign of the plant on the property and its surroundings.”