Help needed ! Neighbouring bamboo issue

9bg8t9ymgw1iS18Qpd · July 2023

Hi I’m after some help. I have a major issue with next doors Bamboo encroaching onto my property causing lots of damage. I’ve started taking up the rhizomes from my patio and followed them to front of my house where unfortunately it’s going into my cavity. I tried insurance but they don’t want to know. Neighbour doesn’t seem overly interested in helping me either. Unfortunately this is going to cost me lots of money. I’m wondering if I cut rhizomes on entry to cavity and spray them with killer will they die in the cavity or can they regrow? Any help will be greatly appreciated thank you

Fairygirl · July 2023

It's a common problem nowadays - and lack of consideration by others is an ever bigger problem than the bamboo. You have my sympathy @9bg8t9ymgw1iS18Qpd.
All you can do is to keep using a strong weedkiller, and that might mean one of the stump killer types. You may well have to reapply several times. I'll see if I can find the name and a link for that.

Sorry- but that's probably the only solution. It's infuriating, and it's why I believe these running bamboos shouldn't now be openly sold, but unfortunately they are, and without proper warnings on them.

This type of thing. I've never had to use it on bamboo, but it should work. Lots of places sell it - online as well.
https://www.diy.com/departments/sbk-weed-control-concentrated-tree-stump-killer-0-25l-0-25kg/5012042021276_BQ.prd
Good luck.

9bg8t9ymgw1iS18Qpd · July 2023

Thanks for the reply. I can put killer on it when I cut it entering the property but it’s under slabs which I’d have to keep digging up to re apply. Do you think this will kill it on one application or am I going to have to dig and re apply ?

StephenSouthwest · July 2023

It sounds like it would be best to deal with it at the point of entry - is there any gap between the slabs and the property boundary?

I wonder about a physical boundary at that point?

In terms of the bamboo now growing on your property, we've had success getting rid of it by letting it grow some green shoots then applying systemic weedkiller to those shoots. It's taken 3 or 3 applications to completely kill the plant.

It's just about the only plant I will consider using systemic fertiliser on.

I'm confused by the financial concern - what is it you think you'll need to spend lots of money on?

9bg8t9ymgw1iS18Qpd · July 2023

Hi Stephen thanks for the reply my main concern is that the bamboo is growing up my cavity and that I’ll need to take a more constructive action ie get builder in to remove bricks and pull rhizomes out. Unless I cut on point of entry and apply with a killer but only problem is how am I going to know it’s worked as you can’t see into the cavity.

I also need to lift all slabs and put root barrier membrane, new sub base and some new slabs as bamboo has broken them all this comes at a lot of cost to me due to a neighbours plant unfortunately

Plantminded · July 2023

There are contractors who specialise in the eradication of bamboo and other invasive plants. This is just one I found, containing some useful information:

Bamboo Removal & Control by PBA Solutions | Invasive Weed Experts (pba-solutions.com)

9bg8t9ymgw1iS18Qpd · July 2023

I’ve had a company come in a do a survey cost of removal is 5500 I don’t have that kind of money and my neighbour isn’t willing to pay even though it’s their plant causing the issues

Nollie · July 2023

Have you tried talking to your local council, maybe planning or environmental dept? There may be some form of redress under nuisance/trespass/infringement of and damage to your property. Councils sometimes have the power to impose orders on neighbours to force them to remove the nuisance. I’m surprised your insurers aren’t interested in suing theirs for redress as it’s ‘their’ insured asset being damaged, but I guess it’s not something routinely covered. It should be.

I’m with Fairy - despite the inconvenience to those few experienced gardeners who know how to grow and control them, running bamboos should be classed as an invasive species, banned at least in urban gardens and with only licensed suppliers permitted to supply and install them with proper root barriers elsewhere.

GardenerSuze · July 2023

@9bg8t9ymgw1iS18Qpd I don't know but could you claim on your own insurance?

StephenSouthwest · July 2023

9bg8t9ymgw1iS18Qpd said:

Hi Stephen thanks for the reply my main concern is that the bamboo is growing up my cavity and that I’ll need to take a more constructive action ie get builder in to remove bricks and pull rhizomes out. Unless I cut on point of entry and apply with a killer but only problem is how am I going to know it’s worked as you can’t see into the cavity.
I also need to lift all slabs and put root barrier membrane, new sub base and some new slabs as bamboo has broken them all this comes at a lot of cost to me due to a neighbours plant unfortunately

Oh dear!

Glyphosate on the leaves will, I think, work, but will take a few applications - you'll know it's worked when you get no new leaves!

Is there a gap between the property boundary and the edge of the slabs?

Lizzie27 · July 2023

Sorry, I don't think I quite understand this question of the bamboo growing into your cavity? Do you mean that you can actually see it climbing through the air bricks at the base of your house wall? Otherwise you would not be able to see into the cavity between the inner and outer walls of your house at all.

I'm confused! Would it be possible to post a picture of the area in question. Just click on the little icon above which looks like a mountain and follow the directions. Try to reduce the size of the photo so that it will load better.

Help needed ! Neighbouring bamboo issue

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