NEW data has revealed the Cumbrian hot spots where the infamous Japanese knotweed is overrun.

Japanese knotweed is native to East Asia and was introduced to the UK in the 1800s where it has since spread out of control. 

It can grow up to four inches a day and forms dense thickets which can kill native plant species, making it particularly harmful to the countryside.

Japanese knotweed has a bad name amongst horticulturists and homeowners alike as the incredibly invasive plant can damage property and land beyond recognition.

The zombie-like plant can grow a whopping 10cm a day between May and July, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

The government estimates it would cost £1.5 billion to clear the UK of knotweed and homeowners who fail to stop the spread of the plant on their land can face fines and even jail time under ASBO legislation.

As the UK’s most invasive plant enters its spring growth phase, Japanese knotweed expert Environet revealed the latest hotspots using data from its interactive online tracker, Exposed: the Japanese Knotweed Heatmap.

Users can enter a postcode to discover the number of reported knotweed sightings nearby, with hotspots highlighted in yellow or red.

The Cumbria Japanese knotweed hotspots for 2024 are: Carlisle with 34 infestations in a 4km radius, Maryport with 18, Workington with 15, Whitehaven with 23, Frizington with 47, Keswick with 31, Penrith with 12, Cleator Moor with 39 and Pooley Bridge with 29.

To view Japanese knotweed infestations in your area or to report a sighting, visit the website here.

What effect does it have on your property?

Pushing up through cracks in concrete, driveways, patios, paths, drains and even the cavity walls of our homes, Japanese knotweed can reduce a property’s value by 10 per cent and make it difficult to sell, unless a professional treatment plan is in place with an insurance-backed guarantee to satisfy mortgage lenders.

According to Environet’s research, approximately 5 per cent of homes are currently affected, either directly or indirectly (neighbouring an affected property), knocking around £20 billion off UK house prices.