Brits told 'don't wait' as expert urges to clear common plants from garden

As returns to Britain, many will be taking the opportunity to get outdoors and soak up the sun. But now one expert has warned homeowners weeds can pose a risk of and has issued advice on how to prevent disaster. With temperatures expected to top 20C this week, experts at have warned households that some weeds, particularly some invasive grasses and Eucalyptus trees can catch fire in hot, dry conditions.

Darren Greatbatch, specialist advisory manager at Environment Controls, said: "These plants might look harmless, but when the heat hits, they can become a serious fire risk. They dry out fast, especially if they've been left untreated and the stalks can ignite easily, especially if they are near fences, decking or sheds." Later in the year, other invasive plants including giant hogweed, Japanese knotweed, Rhododendron and Himalayan balsam become dry and brittle as their flowering season ends, becoming potentially flammable in hot, dry conditions.

There is good news for garden owners, though, which is there are some easy fixes to reduce the risk of invasive weeds drying out and becoming a more serious problem.

Darren advises gardeners to tackle problem plants as soon as possible, saying "don't wait" if there are such species in your garden.

"A quick survey and treatment now could prevent a fire or a costly repair job later on."

He also recommends watering gardens early in the day to lock in moisture and reduce the risk of anything catching light out there.

Midday watering is "mostly wasted" as higher heat means the liquid evaporates quickly and doesn't make it deep into the soil.

Also important is adding mulch to the garden, because a layer of bark or compost can help to trap moisture in the ground and keep roots cool.

An added benefit of this hack is that mulch also helps to slow down the growth of weeds, which can prevent further hazards developing in future.

A final tip from the expert to avoid risks is to create shade in the garden by using furniture or parasols to block the sun.

Keeping the heat off dry areas and overgrowth can keep your garden cooler and reduce the risk of fires breaking out.