Invasive knotweed spreading through South Jersey yards

Residents in South Jersey, specifically within Gloucester, Atlantic, and Cape May counties, are reporting issues with plants that resemble bamboo spreading through residential yards. The plants are likely Japanese or Bohemian knotweed, which are invasive species that mimic the appearance of bamboo with tall, hollow stems and dense growth.

These infestations are difficult to manage because knotweed spreads through underground rhizomes, meaning they cannot be controlled by simple mowing. In some instances, the spread has been linked to neighboring properties where owners are no longer able to maintain dense vegetation, causing the invasive plants to migrate into adjacent yards.