Ivy Removal Near Me? All Answers

English ivy, or Hedera helix, is a fast-spreading vine that can infest large areas, often choking trees and other ground cover, consuming all nutrients and blocking sunlight. Removal tips including wearing proper clothing to protect your skin and what not to do if ivy is growing over you.

English ivy, or Hedera helix, is a fast-spreading vine that can infest large areas, often choking trees and other ground cover, consuming all nutrients and blocking sunlight. These aggressive plants are also known to cause the spread of wildfires, in which flames climb up the vine-covered trees and ignite the foliage.

English ivy looks pretty and yet it can be so destructive. Tips on how to get rid of ivy will help you care for your ivy.

Tips on how to get rid of English ivy

Wear heavy-duty gloves and remember to wear long sleeves, long pants, and appropriate shoes to keep ivy from touching your skin. Although unrelated to poison ivy, English ivy can cause skin irritation.

Remove ivy from trees

Be careful not to pull on the ivy overhead – bees/bird nests can hide there. Remove any ivy from the base of the log to a height of about 3 to 5 feet – remove the vine to at least waist height. The taller ivy will eventually die back. To properly dislodge the aggressive tendril from the tree, place a screwdriver or a flat, sturdy object – such as a wooden table. B. a crowbar – under the vine and gently pull it away from the tree.

Ways to remove ivy without chemicals

You can mow ivy ground cover to ground level several times a year to slowly kill the spreading vine.

Using a pair of thick gardening gloves, pull out the English ivy, making sure to remove any roots. A trowel can be used instead of hand pulling to help with stubborn roots.

Some use white vinegar as an alternative to herbicides to remove English ivy. Put the vinegar in an atomizer or spray bottle and lather the vine thoroughly—be careful not to spill nearby plants. Wait about a week or so and check the treated areas for dead/dying ivy.

Discard removed ivy immediately after removal as new plants may grow from cut/broken stems. Don’t compost it as it will take root in your compost heap!

Cover the eradicated area with a thick layer of mulch—usually 6 to 8 inches—to prevent English ivy from returning.

Image: Alain.jotterand

Distinguished by its showy, star-shaped foliage, English ivy (Hedera helix) seems like a great landscaping choice as a potted plant, groundcover, or neat exterior wall accent—but don’t let your guard down just yet. Left unchecked, the evergreen perennial can become an invasive enemy for your garden. Ivy knows no boundaries: it grows rapidly in all directions, both horizontally and vertically, clinging to other plants and depriving them of all sunlight. When the vine plant does not suffocate and kill trees, shrubs and grass, it infects them with rot or disease. If you’ve already seen destruction like this, save your property from the aggressive greenery by following these steps to kill ivy and prevent its return.

How to kill Ivy

Put on appropriate protective gear for the project and choose a day with suitable weather. Detach the ivy from the surface it grew on. Dispose of the ivy with your household waste (i.e. do not compost ivy). Apply herbicide to the area to kill any remaining roots. Monitor the area (and repeat steps 2 and 3 if necessary)

Read on for the full tutorial on how to remove ivy from your home or garden – and, just as importantly, how to prevent it from returning.

STEP 1: Protect yourself and your plants

First things first: protect yourself and your plants. Wear gardening gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, and pants—exposed skin can be bothered by the oil that ivy secretes. Then choose a day with the right forecast to ensure there are no mishaps in the chemical treatment. Topical chemicals used to kill ivy are only effective when the temperature is anywhere between 60 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. You should also work on a minimal wind day to prevent chemicals from being blown onto nearby gardens and landscaping.

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STEP 2: Release the ivy

Loosen the ivy from the surface it is covering, whether on the lawn or on a tree.

With ivy on the ground, mowers can shred the leaves but are generally not effective at attacking the vines. You’ll need to use a heavy-duty brushcutter or long, sharp pruning shears to separate ivy from the ground. Work in small sections a few feet wide, cutting right through the ivy’s vine system where it meets the ground. Then roll up each section like a rug, pulling and cutting with the scissors or brush cutter to completely separate all the pieces of ivy. Repeat process as needed until all ivy is cut and rolled. A word of caution: Ivy only needs one remaining vine to take root again, so take your time and don’t let bits cling to your lawn.

With ivy on trees, it is not necessary to separate each strand at the trunk. Because ivy strongly adheres to the bark of a tree, removing the ivy can damage the tree. Instead, just focus on shedding the three to five feet of foliage closest to the bottom of the tree where the vine connects to its roots. Or, if the ivy doesn’t reach the ground, focus on the bottom two or three feet of the climbing vines. Separate the ivy from the tree with sharp scissors, being careful not to cut into the bark – this will only weaken the tree further.

STEP 3: Discard the ivy

Pack up the ivy and throw it away. If you leave your detached ivy in clumps on your property, it can quickly slither back into the ground or a tree trunk and undo your hard work. (It can even take root in your compost pile, so don’t try to compost ivy!)

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STEP 4: Apply herbicide

Choose an herbicide made from glyphosate, imazapyr, triclopyr, or a combination of these chemicals, all of which target the ivy roots. Ortho GroundClear Vegetation Killer (view it on Amazon) works well for this purpose.

If you prefer a more natural approach, you can use vinegar in a large spray bottle instead. The application of both is quite simple: Thoroughly cover the entire area freed from ivy with the liquid. If you’re working on a tree, also cover the bottom foot or so of the vines that remain on the tree.

Herbicides alone are not necessarily the best way to kill ivy, as the waxy coat on ivy leaves prevents the chemical from properly attacking the root system. But by applying the repellent shortly after removing ivy from a tree or soil (Step 2), you can increase the effectiveness of the commercial or DIY herbicide.

STEP 5: Monitor the area (and repeat steps 2 and 3 if necessary)

Inspect your property every two to three weeks and make sure ivy vines have not reappeared. If you spot new vines, pull them out with a gloved hand and pruning shears (Step 2), then spray them again with your herbicide or white vinegar to spot treat the stems (Step 3).

Note that if you are intentionally growing English ivy as part of your landscaping, you must follow some strict guidelines to prevent it from flooding the site. Keep the vines in check by surrounding them with mulch and trimming the edges when they start to creep. Ivy can make a charming addition to any garden, but containment and care are crucial if you want your other vegetation to thrive alongside it.

When it comes to getting rid of ivy in your garden, the natural route may be the best. While it’s tempting to opt for powerful weed killers, there’s a less toxic way to combat this creeper, which can cling to and damage brickwork and fences—and it can hide in your kitchen cupboard.

If you’re looking to get rid of ivy (the non-toxic kind) or even poison ivy, start with apple cider vinegar—a natural solution that won’t harm your garden. This tip is fully backed by experts – and couldn’t come at a better time to tame this invasive plant.

Ivy has growth spurts in spring (when its leaves may appear red or green). So if you’re struggling with ivy, this natural approach may be the quick fix you need.

How to fight ivy with apple cider vinegar – for quick results

“I’ve tried a handful of DIY solutions to get rid of ivy, but the solution that worked the best is a combination of apple cider vinegar, dish soap, and salt,” says gardening expert and Lawn Love (opens in new tab) CEO Jeremy Yamaguchi The expert suggests using a gallon of apple cider vinegar, an ounce of dish soap, and a tablespoon of salt.

1. Prepare to handle the ivy

(Credit: Credit: Helen Guest/Alamy Stock Photo)

It’s important to prepare before attempting to get rid of ivy with apple cider vinegar. Ivy irritates the skin, albeit mildly; Poison ivy naturally causes swollen skin, blisters, and often severe itching. HomeCareHow (opens in new tab) founder Edward Jones recommends wearing long sleeves, long pants, boots, and rubber gardening gloves (like these gloves on Amazon (opens in new tab)).

2. Spray the apple cider vinegar based solution

(Image credit: GettyImages)

The experts recommend filling a spray bottle with your solution (apple cider vinegar, dish soap, and a tablespoon of salt) and spraying the mixture thoroughly onto your ivy plants.

“Vinegar and salt are the things that attack the ivy the most,” explains Jeremy. “Meanwhile, the soap enhances the effectiveness of the vinegar.”

The experts say the solution should sit on your ivy plants for at least five days – then it’s time to check the progress.

3. Use scissors to remove the dead ivy

(Credit: Alamy)

Finally, it’s best to use a pruning saw and secateurs to safely remove the dead ivy. You can even use a decorator’s scraping tool to remove ivy that’s heavily clinging to brickwork. However, if you find that some leaves have survived, Edward recommends repeating the same process until all of the ivy is dead.

Is this the secret to an ivy-free garden wall? With that expert approval, we’re ready to try.

How do I get rid of ivy permanently?

Get rid of ivy permanently:

Wait a few dry days, and then spray the ivy leaves with a solution of apple cider vinegar, dish soap, and a tablespoon of salt.

Leave the mixture on the ivy for five days.

Carefully loosen the dead ivy from the walls and dispose of it in your trash, not your compost.

If you can’t dig up the roots, kill them with an herbicide or with a solution of one part white vinegar and four parts water.

Return to the area periodically to check for new growth and treat as above.

How do you kill ivy roots?

If you can’t dig up the roots, kill them with an herbicide or with a solution of one part white vinegar and four parts water.

What is the salt and vinegar mixture that kills English ivy?

Hunker may receive compensation through affiliate links in this story.

Credit: Carlos Montelara/iStock/GettyImages See more photos

While several stories online promote the use of white vinegar to get rid of ivy — “just spray it on and it’ll be gone!” — that’s an exaggeration at best. Vinegar has proven to be an effective herbicide in some cases, but household vinegar, like white vinegar, usually has an acetic acid concentration of only 5 percent, which isn’t high enough to have a lasting effect on most plants, especially hardy ivy.

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video of the day

You may have good luck using vinegar to get rid of ivy, but there are some caveats. The most common ivy found in home gardens in the United States is English ivy (​Hedera helix​), a climbing plant that will cling to almost any support and attach easily to it.

Vinegar as a herbicide

Vinegar is an effective herbicide in many cases, but the concentration of its main ingredient, acetic acid, matters. To control stubborn, unwanted plants like ivy, use a horticultural concentration of 20 percent. White vinegar, or any other vinegar in your pantry, is only a 5 percent concentration. Also, vinegar is what’s known as a “contact herbicide,” meaning that when vinegar is applied to a plant, it destroys the plant’s cell membranes—but only those it actually comes in contact with. This means spraying ivy leaves can kill the leaves but leave the roots untouched. You may think you are seeing dead ivy when in reality it is just preparing to sprout new growth.

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But don’t think that because you use “vinegar” — the common household product you spritz in salads and sauces every day — you’re working with a safer alternative to chemical herbicides, since horticultural vinegar is highly toxic. In fact, a US Environmental Protection Agency study of the toxicity levels of pesticides and other products reported that their toxicity level was higher than that of glyphosate or RoundUp; That means it took less acetic acid than glyphosate to kill rats in a lab test, Ohio State University reports.

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The bottom line is that when using vinegar with a high concentration of acetic acid, you should take all the safety precautions you would take when using any other type of chemical herbicide. Protect your skin and eyes from potential splashes, as concentrations as low as 11 percent have been known to cause skin burns and permanent corneal injuries. Also, make sure you don’t spray it on plants you intend to keep.

advertisement

How to spray vinegar to get rid of ivy

Vinegar is best for young plants; Established ivy tendrils are unlikely to succumb to a vinegar spray, regardless of the concentration.

A typical vinegar spray recipe consists of 1 gallon of vinegar and 1 cup of castile soap mixed in a garden sprayer. That’s it. Don’t water it down. Be sure to spray the leaves thoroughly until they are wet, and wait until a calm, dry, warm day with no rain forecast.

Warning Keep children, pets, or anyone not wearing protective gear away from treated areas until the vinegar dries completely.

After 24 hours, the leaves should wilt and turn brown. Repeated treatments increase the likelihood that growth will be slowed or even killed when the vine is very young. However, if you have an established ivy vine, it’s probably time to think about getting out your machete, shovel, and pickaxe, as the vine will likely resist your attempts to spray it with vinegar.

Introduction Skip to introduction English ivy (Hedera helix) is a shade-tolerant, woody, perennial climber. Once established, it forms a dense ground cover with attractive dark green foliage. But if left unchecked, this introduced plant invades forests, climbs (and kills) trees, and is considered an invasive species. Several “recommendations” for controlling English ivy can be found online. Some good, some are questionable. J. Neal CC BY 4.0 × English Ivy J. Neal CC BY 4.0 Print image

Non-Chemical Control Skip to Non-Chemical Control Culturally, this plant is difficult to control. English ivy can be controlled by mowing. But mowing must be frequent (like mowing a lawn) and you must mow all of the infestation to “starve” the plants.

To pull up. There are several videos online showing how to “roll up” the English ivy vines. Cut the vines into sections and then cut the vines where they attach to the roots. This will be a very labor intensive effort. But if you put in enough effort and hours, most weeds can be removed by hand. Many vines will regrow from the roots, so return to the site periodically to remove the regrowth.

Remove it from the trees. English ivy in trees can be killed by cutting off the stems at the ground and removing the vines as high up the tree as possible. The remaining vines in the tree die and eventually fall off.

What about herbicides? Go to What about herbicides? Again, if you look online, there are many reports and recommendations – some good, some not so good. One of the most commonly recommended herbicide treatments is triclopyr. But in my experience, triclopyr is less effective than glyphosate. What does the research show?

1. Timing makes a difference. Skip to 1. Timing makes a difference. For best results, apply glyphosate in spring when English ivy has 2 to 4 new leaves. Retire about 6 weeks later when you see regrowth. English ivy becomes less and less susceptible to glyphosate as the season progresses. Midsummer control can be improved by mowing the ivy and then spraying the regrowth. J. Neal CC BY 4.0 × English ivy new growth. Best time to apply glyphosate for control. J. Neal CC BY 4.0 print image

2. The wording matters. Proceed to 2. The wording matters. All of our research was conducted on Roundup brand formulations. Even within the Roundup family of products, we’ve noticed differences in controls. With “generic” formulations you are likely to get poorer control. Also, DO NOT use the fast-acting formulations. Weed control will be worse if you burn off the leaves before the herbicide can get to the stems and roots. Diluted ready-to-use formulations are less effective. Purchase a formulation >41% active and dilute for treatment (see dosing guideline below).

3. There is a clear dose response. Proceed to 3. There is a clear dose response. Glyphosate applied at 4lb/A is much better than glyphosate applied at 2lb/A. See photos below from our 2009 experiment. If you want to kill English ivy, use the full advertised rate of glyphosate. For the usual 41 percent active ingredient formulation, I recommend a 4 percent solution by volume (that’s 5.1 ounces of herbicide in a gallon of spray mix). J. Neal CC BY 4.0 × Glyphosate at 4 lb/A (right) worked better than 2 lb/A (left) – treated in spring, photo August 2009 J. Neal CC BY 4.0 Print image

4. Options other than glyphosate? Proceed to 4. Options other than glyphosate? Several herbicides damage English ivy, but most are not as effective as glyphosate. dr Virginia Tech’s Jeff Derr reported that two applications of 2,4-D-amine at 1 lbai/A to actively growing English ivy provided complete control. dr Derr also observed that triclopyr was less effective compared to glyphosate or 2,4-D.

Prevents it from returning Skip to Prevents it from returning Regardless of the control method chosen, it is a woody perennial climber that can return from small segments of stems. It is also spread through seeds. So be sure to return to the site regularly to remove newly emerged ivy plants. With persistence, you can get rid of this pesky weed.

Author Joe Neal Professor of Weed Science, Extension Specialist & Department Extension Leader

horticultural science

It is a well known fact that selling and buying real estate can be a stressful time with contracts to be signed, inspections taking place and the underlying fear that something might go wrong.

Especially when an unforeseen problem arises that could derail the sale and potentially hurt your overall profits.

Well, if you are planning to start house hunting and putting your own property on the market, there is one thing you should check before the offers flood in.

Because there are certain common garden plants that may look nice and friendly, but can devalue your property by up to 15%.

Ivy can damage your property. (PA)

And if you’re wondering what those plants are, then look no further as surveyors at Stokemont.com have unveiled the five plants that can devalue your property if not removed.

The five most common plants that could devalue your home:

Japanese knotweed

Considering the crown as the most invasive and difficult plant to remove is the bamboo-like Japanese knotweed.

The plant can grow up to three meters tall and its roots reach up to 20 meters underground.

This means the weeds can destroy plumbing and drains and even weaken building foundations and potentially cause foundations to collapse.

Due to the plant’s noxious side, it is listed by RICS Homebuyer Reports as a property defect and could take a 5-15 per cent fall in property value.

Also, it is also not easy or cheap to remove as you will need to seek professional help to remove the plant as even the smallest residue can cause the plant to reappear quickly.

Ivy-

This widespread plant can be seen across Europe and while it may look pretty, it could damage your property.

The tall climber can easily enter and penetrate wall cracks. damage grout and even bring moisture into your home.

There is some good news, however, as common English ivy is easy to remove, meaning you can remove it before you put it on the market without risking losing money.

giant hogweed

Similar to Japanese knotweed, giant hogweed is invasive, spreads quickly and is very difficult to remove.

It is most commonly sighted in June and July and can be seen with a white flower thanks to its cow parsley-like green stems and purple shoots.

The weed is usually found near rivers and pound and can cause severe skin burns or scars under sunlight.

And if you find you have it, some buyers might refuse to pay a higher price as the cost of removing it can be as high as £15,000.

Oak trees could damage your property. (PA)

poplars, willows and oaks

Although these trees are not harmful at all, the large trees can be dangerous if they grow near the property.

This is because the plant’s root systems are shallow, fast growing and can spread up to 40 meters.

The trees can be more difficult to remove as the roots become thicker and larger over time.

And if grown too close to the property, they could cause cracks in foundations, subsidence and other structural defects that could cost you £5,000 to £25,000 to repair.

Himalayan Balm

A native of the Himalayas, this troublesome plant was first brought to Britain in 1839 and can grow to 2-3 meters tall with pink flowers when fully bloomed.

Despite its beautiful colors, this invasive plant could seed 800 meters away or even be spread through rivers, potentially killing other plants and reducing biodiversity by stealing light, nutrients or water.

However, the good news is that this plant is easy to remove and non-toxic to humans.

But it might still put off buyers due to its rapid spread, and if it spreads to your neighbor’s house, it could be illegal.

When ivy tangles climb the trunk of your tree, you either love the pop of color or resent the encroaching vines. But how do trees feel about the leafy green growth?

Read on to learn how ivy can harm trees as they grow and how ivy can be completely removed from trees.

Does it harm trees when ivy grows?

A bit of ivy can look pretty on a tree, and some people really love the look. Regardless, once too much ivy is growing on your tree, you should remove it. Normally, ivy then begins to grow in the treetops.

At this point ivy can begin to damage trees – especially English ivy as it grows quickly and is difficult to control. Here’s why.

Four reasons to remove ivy from trees

Trees and ivy depend on the same supply of water and nutrients. Because ivy can be more aggressive, chances are your tree isn’t getting its fair share of nutrients. Ivy grows over the branches and blocks the sunlight that trees need to produce food. Vines can weigh down a branch, putting it at a higher risk of snapping in a storm. Over time, an ivy invasion weakens a tree and makes it a target for opportunistic pests.

Best Techniques for Removing Ivy from Trees

There are two ways to prevent ivy from damaging your tree: pull it out by hand or soak it in vinegar. In any case, the most important thing is to get rid of the roots so that the tendrils don’t reappear.

How to Get Rid of Ivy Roots (By Hand)

Water under the tree or wait for it to rain. Ivy is easier to remove in soft soil. Use hand shears to cut ivy stalks from their roots at the base of the tree trunk. Go as deep as you can and pull out the roots. Remember that this is the best way to kill the plant forever. Let the ivy growing on the tree die off by itself. It’s tempting to rip off the plant, but doing so can seriously damage the tree’s bark! Check the tree regularly to make sure no new ivy shoots have appeared. If yes, repeat!

Killing Ivy with Vinegar

When it comes to getting rid of ivy in your garden, the natural route may be the best. While it’s tempting to opt for powerful weed killers, there’s a less toxic way to combat this creeper, which can cling to and damage brickwork and fences—and it can hide in your kitchen cupboard.

If you’re looking to get rid of ivy (the non-toxic kind) or even poison ivy, start with apple cider vinegar—a natural solution that won’t harm your garden. This tip is fully backed by experts – and couldn’t come at a better time to tame this invasive plant.

Ivy has growth spurts in spring (when its leaves may appear red or green). So if you’re struggling with ivy, this natural approach may be the quick fix you need.

How to fight ivy with apple cider vinegar – for quick results

“I’ve tried a handful of DIY solutions to get rid of ivy, but the solution that worked the best is a combination of apple cider vinegar, dish soap, and salt,” says gardening expert and Lawn Love (opens in new tab) CEO Jeremy Yamaguchi The expert suggests using a gallon of apple cider vinegar, an ounce of dish soap, and a tablespoon of salt.

1. Prepare to handle the ivy

(Credit: Credit: Helen Guest/Alamy Stock Photo)

It’s important to prepare before attempting to get rid of ivy with apple cider vinegar. Ivy irritates the skin, albeit mildly; Poison ivy naturally causes swollen skin, blisters, and often severe itching. HomeCareHow (opens in new tab) founder Edward Jones recommends wearing long sleeves, long pants, boots, and rubber gardening gloves (like these gloves on Amazon (opens in new tab)).

2. Spray the apple cider vinegar based solution

(Image credit: GettyImages)

The experts recommend filling a spray bottle with your solution (apple cider vinegar, dish soap, and a tablespoon of salt) and spraying the mixture thoroughly onto your ivy plants.

“Vinegar and salt are the things that attack the ivy the most,” explains Jeremy. “Meanwhile, the soap enhances the effectiveness of the vinegar.”

The experts say the solution should sit on your ivy plants for at least five days – then it’s time to check the progress.

3. Use scissors to remove the dead ivy

(Credit: Alamy)

Finally, it’s best to use a pruning saw and secateurs to safely remove the dead ivy. You can even use a decorator’s scraping tool to remove ivy that’s heavily clinging to brickwork. However, if you find that some leaves have survived, Edward recommends repeating the same process until all of the ivy is dead.

Is this the secret to an ivy-free garden wall? With that expert approval, we’re ready to try.

How do I get rid of ivy permanently?

Get rid of ivy permanently:

Wait a few dry days, and then spray the ivy leaves with a solution of apple cider vinegar, dish soap, and a tablespoon of salt.

Leave the mixture on the ivy for five days.

Carefully loosen the dead ivy from the walls and dispose of it in your trash, not your compost.

If you can’t dig up the roots, kill them with an herbicide or with a solution of one part white vinegar and four parts water.

Return to the area periodically to check for new growth and treat as above.

How do you kill ivy roots?

If you can’t dig up the roots, kill them with an herbicide or with a solution of one part white vinegar and four parts water.

Unfortunately, no matter how careful you are, when you pull out English ivy, there will likely be plenty of leftover roots and debris to sprout again. If you leave the soil as is, you’ll likely see a re-infestation within the next growing season – or even the same one. To prevent this, cover the area with a thick layer of mulch, at least 6 inches deep. You can also simply mulch ivy that has been mown to the ground; easier but less likely to kill the ivy.

Credit: Carlos Montelara/iStock/GettyImages See more photos

While several stories online promote the use of white vinegar to get rid of ivy — “just spray it on and it’ll be gone!” — that’s an exaggeration at best. Vinegar has proven to be an effective herbicide in some cases, but household vinegar, like white vinegar, usually has an acetic acid concentration of only 5 percent, which isn’t high enough to have a lasting effect on most plants, especially hardy ivy.

advertisement

video of the day

You may have good luck using vinegar to get rid of ivy, but there are some caveats. The most common ivy found in home gardens in the United States is English ivy (​Hedera helix​), a climbing plant that will cling to almost any support and attach easily to it.

Vinegar as a herbicide

Vinegar is an effective herbicide in many cases, but the concentration of its main ingredient, acetic acid, matters. To control stubborn, unwanted plants like ivy, use a horticultural concentration of 20 percent. White vinegar, or any other vinegar in your pantry, is only a 5 percent concentration. Also, vinegar is what’s known as a “contact herbicide,” meaning that when vinegar is applied to a plant, it destroys the plant’s cell membranes—but only those it actually comes in contact with. This means spraying ivy leaves can kill the leaves but leave the roots untouched. You may think you are seeing dead ivy when in reality it is just preparing to sprout new growth.

advertisement

But don’t think that because you use “vinegar” — the common household product you spritz in salads and sauces every day — you’re working with a safer alternative to chemical herbicides, since horticultural vinegar is highly toxic. In fact, a US Environmental Protection Agency study of the toxicity levels of pesticides and other products reported that their toxicity level was higher than that of glyphosate or RoundUp; That means it took less acetic acid than glyphosate to kill rats in a lab test, Ohio State University reports.

advertisement

The bottom line is that when using vinegar with a high concentration of acetic acid, you should take all the safety precautions you would take when using any other type of chemical herbicide. Protect your skin and eyes from potential splashes, as concentrations as low as 11 percent have been known to cause skin burns and permanent corneal injuries. Also, make sure you don’t spray it on plants you intend to keep.

advertisement

How to spray vinegar to get rid of ivy

Vinegar is best for young plants; Established ivy tendrils are unlikely to succumb to a vinegar spray, regardless of the concentration.

A typical vinegar spray recipe consists of 1 gallon of vinegar and 1 cup of castile soap mixed in a garden sprayer. That’s it. Don’t water it down. Be sure to spray the leaves thoroughly until they are wet, and wait until a calm, dry, warm day with no rain forecast.

Warning Keep children, pets, or anyone not wearing protective gear away from treated areas until the vinegar dries completely.

After 24 hours, the leaves should wilt and turn brown. Repeated treatments increase the likelihood that growth will be slowed or even killed when the vine is very young. However, if you have an established ivy vine, it’s probably time to think about getting out your machete, shovel, and pickaxe, as the vine will likely resist your attempts to spray it with vinegar.