Raspberry bushes

sassy_one

I seem to have a problem with Raspberry bushes, I have a sudden outbreak of them in my garden.

I am cutting them down, but if I don't manage to get everyone by it's roots, will it regrow??

ERICS_MUM

It's a shame you want to get rid - raspberries are delish and you can get loads form a couple of bushes !

Have you had a good go at digging out the roots? Otherwise I suppose the only guaranteed way to get rid is a strong weed-killer type preparation, but if they are coming throiugh from next door this might killl their bushes as well.


Linda xx

annie123

if you dont want them, offer them on freecycle, shame to waste good food.

sassy_one

Thanks for all your replies

It's not I want to get rid of them it's case of having to.

I received a letter from my Council stating they have received a complaint regards them, and under the Prevention of Pests Act I have been advised if they grow any more, they may take formal action (I am a home owner)

So, I hope that goes in my favour, I'm not wasting it as such, It's a case I either cut them down or I get a lot of hassle which I haven't time for.

I will see how many of them I can remove by the roots, failing which I have to hope they don't re appear

Regards giving them away, I will see what ones I can pick and give away

Old_Wrinkly

Please can you say exactly what the letter from the Council states about the "Prevention of Pests Act".
If it is referring to the "Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949" (as amended), I don't see how it could possibly give them any authority to act re raspberries.
(The Pests Act 1954 certainly wouldn't apply either.)

justjohn

We have rasps in the garden. started of with about 4 small bush's(about 3 years ago) now there are hundreds. I was just going to cut them and put deep root on them??

I would also be interested i knowing how to deal with them.

annie123

Nice neighbours!
They will grow in large containers, so in October/November you could select the best ones, pot them up and put the patch on freecycle......bring own spade and dig, or a visit to your local allotment, they will dig them up so they are all gone.

Once they are in pots its much easier to keep under control.

sassy_one

It's under is the Prevention of Damage By Pests Act.

It just advises me that, they have received a complaint (doesn't say who from, but we kind of know!) and that Environmental health officers have visited the complainants address to view the Raspberry bushes and to gather evidence by means of viewing and photographic evidence.

The letter then goes on to say, after consideration with other officers and law, at this moment in time they are unable to act in response to the complaint HOWEVER should the matter be left and not rectified in the future, I am being liable to formal legal action by the authority by means of requesting a warrant from the courts to gain access and remove the bushes, to which I will be charged for.

No date was given, they letter was sent to me in early part of this year, I have ignored it till now to prove my point to the person or persons whom complained to show it did nothing!

However I have now cleared quite a lot of them and I am almost done, I have put an advert on the web and have a few people to get back to regards coming to get the Raspberries.

Hope that explains the current situation

Old_Wrinkly

sassy-one,
that piece of legislation has 3 parts.
Part one has to do with the control of rats and mice.
Part two is concerned with infestation in foodstuffs - essentially concerned with insects now, as well as rats & mice.
Part three is entitled 'supplemental'; it covers such things as definitions of terms, methods of extermination, access to premises, payments, legal processes, geographical coverage, etc.

In other words, none of this Act is about the spread (uncontrolled or otherwise) of a native british plant.
The only possible way the Council could try to apply it is to say that your raspberries will attract rats and/or mice - a pretty extreme interpretation of the legislation in my view. If you wish to see the Act itself, a generally updated version can be accessed here. (This type of Act is often amended to deal with changes in Council terminology, permitted chemicals, costs, etc but the basic framework doesn't normally change.)

I do wonder at the professionalism of a Council that quotes this particular Act for such circumstances.

There are pieces of legislation concerning causing nuisance to neighbours, of course. I would have expected the Council to quote one of them. Though they generally put the onus on the person suffering the nuisance to take action, rather than the Council.

My feeling is that you are being bluffed.
You could call the Council's bluff by phoning & asking which particular provision of this Act they are referring to, but that is up to you of course.

sassy_one

I forgot to add, the letter did state in in relation to POSSIBLE rat and mice attraction

I have managed to clear it all, I have taken all the bushes down, and got quite a few pricks by doing it, ouch!

After I have let the branches dry out, does anyone know if they will burn?
As otherwise it means a trip to the tip, which I'd prefer not putting the said bush load in to my boot

aplaceinthesun

Well whoever has complained must be absolutely loopy, as loopy as your council , blimey what is the world coming to. A lot of people are trying to 'do their bit' and grow their own and to be told to get rid of raspberry bushes due to possible rat and mice attraction is CRAZY ! Rats and mice will be attracted to pet food and bedding, seeds, compost bins etc and I would think these would attract them more so than raspberry bushes - so are your neighbours saying that you couldnt keep bunnies/guinea pigs and have a compost bin too ?????????

Sorry I cant help with your question about burning them but am very sad for you that you have had to do this ....