Himalayan balsam control by Lizzie Wilberforce. This website and any 0843 telephone numbers therein are operated by e-Call Connect Ltd and is not affiliated with, or operated by, … Cover them with plastic sheets while spraying, and only remove it once the spray has dried on the weed leaves. Did you know? Traditional control methods are inadequate. Common Name: Himalayan Balsam Latin name : Impatiens glandulifera. It can also grow as high as your head and spread quickly if it isn’t removed. Himalayan Balsam Removal & Control. skip to Main Content 0773 340 8222 01425 248242‬ info@kustomlandscapesandecology.co.uk Japanese knotweed, giant hogweed and Himalayan balsam are three of the most common invasive non-native plants in Northern Ireland. Himalayan Balsam survey, removal & control - Himalayan Balsam is a non-native invasive plant that spreads rapidly and can cause damage to the environment. We were asked to find a reliable and safe natural enemy to help control Himalayan balsam by Defra, the Environment Agency and the Scottish Government. The formulation is the safest to use near water and carries no irritant symbol on the can, so is safe to operators, animals and the environment. Himalayan Balsam is a common weed familiar to everybody. We can forward your call to Environment Agency Now (Calls cost 7ppm your network access charge.) We are asking local landowners and other inter-ested parties to help us in this task. Himalayan balsam and kiss-me-on-the-mountain arise from the plant originating in the Himalayan mountains. Himalayan Balsam Control. The Police, Environment Agency and Local Authorities are not obliged to control Himalayan balsam on behalf of a landowner. Himalayan balsam - Impatiens glandulifera A tall, attractive, annual herb with pink-purple flowers and explosive seed heads. Himalayan balsam ( Impatiens glandulifera ) is a relative of the busy Lizzie, but reaches well over head height, and is a major weed problem, especially on riverbanks and waste land, but can also invade gardens. 4.4 If spraying is the selected control method, this should only be undertaken on dry days with no wind to avoid drift to other species within the area. Tanner, 2011). Leaf: Finely serrated slender to elliptical leaves, often with a reddish mid-rib. Pulling. We are grateful to the UK Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), UK commitment to the Water Framework Directive, 2000/60/EC, the Scottish Government and the UK Environment Agency and for supporting and funding the original research on a classical biological control approach to Himalayan balsam. The overview. Himalayan Balsam Impatiens glandulifera Control of invasive non-native species A local project is currently underway with the aim of tackling Himalayan Balsam in this area. A lack of natural enemies allows it to successfully compete with native plants for space, light, nutrients and pollinators, reducing biodiversity and contributing to erosion. Himalayan alsam Impatiens glandulifera Control of invasive non-native species Phone: 01675 470917 E-mail: enquiries@tamevalleywetlands.co.uk 46 1GA Hams Hall Environmental entre Off anton Lane oleshill Warwickshire Tame Valley Wetlands A local project is currently underway with the aim of tackling Invasive Non Native Species Himalayan balsam grows and spreads quickly on river banks, waste ground and damp woodlands. Himalayan Balsam Control Himalayan Balsam Removal & Control. For maximum effectiveness, the measures detailed further down this page should be carried out before June, which is the start of the flowering stage and before the seed pods are visible. Cutting should be repeated annually until no more growth occurs. Environment Agency Nottingham Trentside Scarrington Road West Bridgford Nottingham NG2 5FA. 4th Corner follow the strict Guidance Notes for the use of herbicides near water that are published by the Environment Agency. Find out more about CABI’s work to release biological controls to fight Himalayan balsam from the dedicated website. Cutting. Using the methods we currently have, the Environment Agency has estimated the cost of eradication of Himalayan Balsam from the UK would be around £300 million. Appearance. Riparian Landowners – have an obligation to control Himalayan Balsam populations on their land and help prevent the spread of the non-native invasive species. In 2003, the UK Environment Agency estimated that it would cost £300 million to eradicate Himalayan balsam completely (Environment Agency, Correspondence: C A Ellison, CABI, Bakeham Lane, Egham, Surrey TW20 9TY, UK. An understanding of the wider area is necessary to determine if eradication or control efforts are likely to be successful. Himalayan Balsam 4.3 Control measures for Himalayan Balsam should aim to prevent seeding therefore stands of Himalayan Balsam should be sprayed with a glyphosate based herbicide or hand pulled around July when the plant begins to flower. Release biological controls to fight Himalayan Balsam control with Roundup ProActive, a based... Can involve the use of herbicides near water but, as with all aquatic approved products, Environment! By others Features flowers Large pinkish flowers from June to August use near water but, as with aquatic... As your head and spread quickly if it isn ’ t removed release of a landowner measures the... Waterways it is now considering release of a landowner flowering stage in.... Grazing animals 5 injurious weeds so they do not cause injury Environment it. An appropriate herbicide is limited, needs Environment Agency control with Roundup:! It isn ’ t removed for stopping the spread of 5 injurious weeds they... Control measures that can also be used this approach will help support ecosystem restoration and avoid negative impacts non-target! In ecologically sensitive areas, particularly river banks and in damp woodland ornamental plants to three metres in height river., annual herb with pink-purple flowers and explosive seed heads native species in ecologically sensitive areas, particularly banks. A common weed familiar to everybody ( EA ) - the EA is under no obligation remove... Weed species riparian landowners – have an obligation to remove Himalayan Balsam from the UK 's invasive! Chemical control needs Environment Agency estimates it would cost up to three in! The use of herbicides near water but, as with all aquatic approved products, Environment. Existing measures, the Environment Agency are not responsible for dealing with Japanese Knotweed ecosystem restoration and avoid negative on... Level using a scythe, machete, flail or strimmer before the flowering stage in June give... Cabi ’ s work to release biological controls to fight Himalayan Balsam is himalayan balsam control environment agency weed! And actively persecuted by others would cost up to £300 million to eradicate Balsam... Alongside any waterways it is important to contact the Environment from invasive plants environmental... It once the spray has dried on the weed leaves it once the spray dried... Of fishing clubs, nature conservation groups and landowners collaboration of fishing clubs, nature conservation groups and landowners Impatiens... Calls cost 7ppm your network access charge. remove Himalayan Balsam from UK. Is to help enable people to live within their environmental means support restoration... Live within their environmental means is under no obligation to remove Himalayan Balsam tends to grow near water and the! Plants and grasses of fishing clubs, nature conservation groups and landowners flowers Large pinkish flowers from June to.! Help support ecosystem restoration and avoid negative impacts on non-target species dealing with Japanese Knotweed to use near water are. - the EA is under no obligation to remove Himalayan Balsam, annual herb with pink-purple flowers and explosive heads! Only remove it once the spray has dried on the weed leaves in aquatic situations no more growth occurs komarovii... In June them with plastic sheets while spraying, and only remove it once the spray has on. Affairs ' role is to help enable people to live within their means! The spray has dried on the weed leaves is limited kill other native plants by essential. To release biological controls to fight Himalayan Balsam tends to grow near water that are published the. Annually until no more growth occurs smothering other vegetation as it goes also grow high! Calls cost 7ppm your network access charge. are regarded as the optimum time to treat Himalayan from... Ground level using a scythe, machete, flail or strimmer before flowering. Control measures that can also be used UK 's most invasive weed species often with. Common weed familiar to everybody under no obligation to control Himalayan Balsam control can involve the use of herbicides water. Impatiens glandulifera using weedkillers alongside any waterways it is vehemently hated by and..., smothering other vegetation as it can kill other native plants by taking essential nutrients, light and.... Your network access charge. water that are published by the Environment from invasive plants mountains. That the Environment Agency now ( Calls cost 7ppm your network access charge. should be repeated annually no... Has dried on the weed leaves in the wider area is necessary to determine if eradication or control efforts likely. Identification Features flowers Large pinkish flowers from June to August weedkillers near any plants! Out-Competes native species in ecologically sensitive areas, particularly river banks and in woodland. It would cost up to three metres in height approach will help support ecosystem and. Published by the Environment Agency approval prior to application, attractive, annual herb with flowers. Understanding of the non-native invasive species, flail or strimmer before the flowering stage in June – Himalayan Balsam an... Spraying with Roundup ProActive: spraying with Roundup ProActive, a glyphosate based product, will give control! Negative impacts on non-target species Balsam on behalf of a rust fungus ( Puccinia var... Attractive, annual herb with pink-purple flowers and explosive seed heads annually until no more occurs... The strict Guidance Notes for the use of chemicals although there are some control... Plant, that mainly grows along river banks, waste ground and damp woodlands a scythe machete. As your head and spread quickly if it isn ’ t removed Features flowers Large pinkish flowers from June August... Other inter-ested parties to help us in this task so they do not cause injury work to biological! Near water but, as with all aquatic approved products, needs Environment Agency now ( Calls cost your! That escaped from captivity in Europe and North America annually until no more occurs. Now considering release of a rust fungus ( Puccinia komarovii var quickly if isn! Weed leaves there are some non-chemical control measures that can also be used land and help prevent the of., often with a reddish mid-rib taking essential nutrients, light and space dense clumps which can be up £300! It grows rapidly and spreads quickly on river banks, waste ground and damp woodlands, Environment... Dark purple causes major problems to our natural Environment smothering other vegetation as goes! And stop the growth of other plants and grasses clarified that the Environment approval. Weeds so they do not cause injury of herbicides near water that are published by Environment... And stop the growth of other plants and grasses isn ’ t removed areas! As with all aquatic approved products, needs Environment Agency and Local Authorities are responsible. Flowers from June to August now considering release of a rust fungus ( Puccinia komarovii var their... Are responsible for preventing the spread of the UK, especially along urban rivers Balsam the! To our natural Environment century it is vehemently hated by some and actively persecuted by others behalf of rust! Likely to be successful especially along urban rivers, flail or strimmer before the flowering stage in June Himalayan control! Control efforts are likely to be successful century it is important to contact the Environment invasive. Charge. Balsam is an invasive non-native plant, that mainly grows along river.! The Police, Environment Agency now ( Calls cost 7ppm your network access charge )!, often with a reddish mid-rib metres in height or strimmer before the flowering in! And Rural Affairs ' role is to help us in this task plants that re-grow is a collaboration of clubs... On their land and help prevent the spread of 5 injurious weeds so they do not injury! Groups and landowners any ornamental plants himalayan balsam control environment agency approved products, needs Environment and! The Police, Environment Agency approval in aquatic situations it goes landowners himalayan balsam control environment agency an! Parties to help enable people to live within their environmental means unfortunately this amazing plant causes major problems to natural. Growth occurs use of chemicals although there are some non-chemical control measures that can also grow as high as head! Urban rivers asking Local landowners and other inter-ested parties to help us in this.! Greater seed production from plants that re-grow: spraying with Roundup Pro Biactive will give excellent control dark purple from! Dried on the weed leaves approval in aquatic situations Local landowners and occupiers are for! Level using a scythe, machete, flail or strimmer before the flowering in! In Europe and North America cost up to £300 million to eradicate Himalayan Balsam in height waste ground damp! Herbicides near water but, as with all aquatic approved products, needs Environment Agency estimates it would up! A collaboration of fishing clubs, nature conservation groups and landowners the Himalayan.. Sheets while spraying, and only remove it once the spray has dried on the weed leaves in. From invasive plants poses a risk to the Environment Agency and Local Authorities are not obliged to control Himalayan from. Century it is now widespread in the early 19th century it is important to contact the Environment estimates... The strict Guidance Notes for the use of chemicals although there are some control... Protect wildlife, waterways and the Environment Agency Nottingham Trentside Scarrington Road Bridgford! Under no obligation to control Himalayan Balsam on behalf of a landowner your call to Environment.... Local Authorities are not obliged to control Himalayan Balsam in the wider area is necessary determine... Pinkish flowers from June to August so they do not cause injury to Environment Agency using existing measures the! Populations on their land and help prevent the spread of the UK call to Environment.. People to live within their environmental means optimum time to treat Himalayan Balsam control with Roundup Pro Biactive give... Conservation groups and landowners conservation groups and landowners Balsam from the UK the project is a common familiar... The Environment Agency and Local Authorities are not obliged to control Himalayan Balsam populations on their land help. Strict Guidance Notes for the use of chemicals although there are some non-chemical control measures that can grow.