Homeowners are warned about plants that can reduce property value by £75,000

The average house price in the UK this month is £373,493, according to Rightmove data released today, meaning a 20 per cent drop in price could mean a reduction of almost £75,000 in the property’s selling price.

The experts urge homeowners to check their gardens for such pests and to take immediate action if they find them.

Bradley Mackenzie, from Stokemont, said: “If you discover Japanese knotweed in your garden, it’s really important to act immediately before it’s too late.

“We strongly recommend that you seek professional help in removing them, as they can easily reform from even the smallest remnants.”

Homeowners can also remove the stains themselves, but they must be sure to do so properly using a strong remover.

The expert added: “If you prefer to do it yourself, a strong herbicide like glyphosate would be the most effective method to kill these zombie-like plants.”

Japanese knotweed is particularly nuisance because it can spread and destroy pipes and drains, as well as weaken building foundations and pavement.

In addition, it is often listed as a material defect in buyer reports, which could cause potential buyers to back out of a purchase altogether.

Although invasive plants can reduce the value of a property, there are some things you can do in the garden to convince sellers to spend their money.

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