Sorry, can't help directly but there was a similar question posted on here on October 9 from another GoYer. There were lots of comments to that post. Worth a look?

No, don't do it now - get out there in late March and hack it back to a central stump, removing all growth, including flowered stems, then rake out the centre at the top to get rid of any rubbish in there. It'll recover and grow away again - repeat the following year.
NB - wear protective clothing on your arms, safety goggles and gloves that cover your wrists, the leaves are capable of tearing skin...

if you have room and not to close to neighbers youl upset you can burn them down at the time bamboo sais .

Hey, thanks for the replies. I will look at the replies to the question pointed out by Ojibway, and Beattie I will def. follow your advice on this one. Now then Noseypotter, I have a real problem with burning because of the immense amount of wildlife that it would kill - I do have a passion about this, consequently gardening can take hours! but thanks for taking the time to reply. :)

your welcome then you just got to see bamboos answer xx .

Erm, I take it when you say you will def. follow Beattie's advice, you actually mean mine, milliemills, as Beattie has not responded here!

oops, sorry Bamboo! I did of course mean your goodself. Thanks again for your help and aswering my daft questions - it is really useful. x

its not a daft question if you dont know the answer millie x .

Never a truer phrase was spoke, Noseypotter...

we all got to start somewear to bamboo x .