{"id":405733,"date":"2026-01-11T07:10:11","date_gmt":"2026-01-11T07:10:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/405733\/"},"modified":"2026-01-11T07:10:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T07:10:11","slug":"tradies-72-hour-nightmare-exposes-brutal-backyard-pest-plaguing-aussie-homeowners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/405733\/","title":{"rendered":"Tradie’s 72-hour nightmare exposes brutal backyard pest plaguing Aussie homeowners"},"content":{"rendered":"

A tradie\u2019s three-day mission to remove thick, unruly bunches of a \u201cpretty\u201d yet problematic weed<\/a> has sparked a plea to Aussie homeowners. At first, the landscaping job at a Melbourne property this week started like most others.<\/p>\n

After meeting with his new clients JJ, who launched his business JJ\u2019s Garden Maintenance<\/a> last winter, was informed by the homeowners that they had \u201ctwo massive, decent-sized garden beds full of agapanthus<\/a>\u201d. Planted before they bought the home five years ago, the couple hoped he could get rid of them.<\/p>\n

Although he had never tried to remove agapanthus before, JJ told Yahoo News Australia he figured it would be relatively simple and told the pair \u201cno dramas\u201d.<\/p>\n

After agreeing on a price of around $1,500, the gardener grabbed a reciprocating saw and two shovels from his truck and got to work.<\/p>\n

But it didn\u2019t take him long to realise that it wasn\u2019t going to be as easy as he\u2019d initially believed.<\/p>\n

Tradie’s three-day battle to remove notoriously difficult weed<\/p>\n

Within hours, both of his shovels were broken, and as the temperature hit a warm 27 degrees, JJ paused and took a moment to reflect.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe job itself was a bit of a challenge, and it came to a point where I pulled out probably 80 to 90 per cent of these agapanthus,\u201d he told Yahoo, noting there was an estimated 50 stalks per square metre.<\/p>\n

\u201cI ripped out the good chunk of them, the top and the bottom half, and I disposed of them all. And I\u2019m looking at the ground going, ‘I don\u2019t think what I\u2019ve done is going to be sufficient’.\u201d<\/p>\n

JJ said he then \u201cjumped into gear\u201d and started researching more about how to properly remove the weed, which is considered invasive in all parts of Australia<\/a> due to their ability to spread rapidly and outcompete native plants.<\/p>\n

\"Left,<\/p>\n

Originally from South Africa, agapanthus thrive in our climates, quickly establishing dense clumps and hefty root systems. Source: JJ’s Garden Maintenance<\/p>\n

Originally from South Africa, the hardy plants thrive in our climates<\/a>, quickly establishing dense clumps and hefty root systems.<\/p>\n

\u201cTheir roots almost look extraterrestrial,\u201d JJ said, adding they just seemed to \u201cgo on forever\u201d.<\/p>\n

With a hired tiller, he returned on the third day and \u201cripped up the entirety of the rest of the root system, which was probably about 100mm to 150mm deep\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cNormally you do some jobs and it\u2019s a quick trim and you move on, and then there\u2019s some jobs that I do that are absolutely manic and this was one of them,\u201d JJ told Yahoo.<\/p>\n

Gardener’s agapanthus ‘rant’ goes viral<\/p>\n

During the \u201cmonster\u201d removal process, the gardener posted a video urging other tradies and landscapers to share their tips on how to properly boot the species from a backyard.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy lord, that was an experience and a half,\u201d he jokingly \u201cranted\u201d before urging homeowners to think twice before adding one to their home environment.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor all the people out there thinking to get agapanthus in their property or wanting them removed, just don\u2019t in general, don\u2019t get them. And if there\u2019s a gardener who wants to remove them, expect it to be expensive.\u201d<\/p>\n

The video has since gone viral, racking up almost 80,000 views and numerous comments from Aussies sharing their own horror stories about the notoriously difficult plant.<\/p>\n

Some people noted the species is \u201cright up there with removing Yuccas<\/a>“.<\/p>\n

Others defended the plants, describing their ability to withstand hot days and neglect.<\/p>\n

Invasive Species Council Policy Director Dr Carol Booth has warned Australians from falling for the plant’s attractive aesthetic.<\/p>\n

\u201cA pretty garden plant but ecologically dangerous \u2014 agapanthus has dense clumping roots that help it displace native plants and prevent their regeneration,\u201d she previously told Yahoo.<\/p>\n

When spotted, it\u2019s \u201cbest to dig it out as it can be resistant to herbicides\u201d, Booth said. \u201cIt retards fire and has the potential to alter ecosystems.\u201d<\/p>\n

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

You can also follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, Twitter<\/a> and YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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