How to get rid of virginia creeper. Virginia creeper has a poor rap for its rapid spread and persistence, which is well-deserved.
These are also known as woodbine and five-leaved ivy. Such creepers brutally drive other plants out of the way by stealing their sunshine, water, and nutrients.
How to get rid of virginia creeper
This vining, a woody perennial, is endemic to areas of the United States, Canada, and Mexico and is commonly confused with poison ivy.
One modest advantage is that Virginia creeper does not contain urushiol, the chemical that causes the itching.
It does, however, contain sap that might irritate your skin.
Let’s see the techniques.
Identification of Virginia creeper
Its compound leaves of five leaflets easily identify Virginia creeper. Each booklet is between 2 and 6 inches long and has a toothed edge. Its leaves become vivid crimson or burgundy in the fall.
New leaves start crimson, but as they grow, they turn green. Virginia creeper’s new branches are hairy and green or yellow-brown, but they soon turn gray-brown and hairless. The vines may grow up to 3 inches in diameter in time.
Virginia creeper, too, enjoys putting on a show, with tiny clusters of green blossoms in the spring that turn into bluish-black berries as in early summer.
Using products
Pulling Virginia creeper out of the ground, like other invasive vines, will get you nowhere.
Use a product designated for the thorny brush to kill Virginia creeper. Make sure to follow the guidelines on the label.
- Controlling Virginia creeper is more accessible while the plant is tiny, as it is with other weeds.
- If the vine is intertwined with other plants, use a piece of cardboard or plastic to protect the plants you want to maintain when spraying.
- Also, keep in mind that Virginia creeper is tenacious, so you may need to spray again if you observe new growth.
- Although you can clip back a Virginia creeper as it spreads around your yard, it becomes tiresome after a time.
- So, what is it that kills Virginia creeper? Glyphosate is a diluted form and is the best substance to use on Virginia creeper.
DIY techniques
You’ll have to do more than pluck your Virginia creeper from the walls, trellis, or trees if you want to get rid of it. Find where the vine has rooted and try to pluck it out by the roots with smaller vines.
Younger vines that haven’t become too entrenched may typically pluck off by hand. To avoid a rash or discomfort from the leaves, be sure to wear gloves and protective clothes.
Boiling water
After clipping the plant down to the root, you can destroy the root system of the Virginia creeper by pouring boiling water directly at the base.
You may have to reapply for the hot water treatment over a few days.
Vinegar or rock salt
Other natural options to try include killing the plant with vinegar or rock salt. You’ll want to isolate the vines individually if you use either of these ways.
Remove Virginia creeper from its host buildings before applying any compound to avoid damaging your other plants.
Other plants that you wish to keep may require a tarp or other form of protection.
How to get rid of virginia creeper organically?
As an organic way to kill Virginia creeper, you can pour boiling water directly at the base after pruning it down to the roots.
It may take a few days for the plant to die back effectively. Allowing vinegar or rock salt to sit on the leaves of the Virginia creeper for about twenty-four hours as natural treatments work to kill the Virginia creeper over a period of time as well.
Conclusion
It’s time to figure out how to get rid of it. If it rains severely enough to wash away the vinegar and rock salt solution, reapply over the next three days, then remove and dispose of vines as they die.
After the three-day interval, reapply the answer to any vines that are still living. Rock salt can also be used, but be cautious since it can injure surrounding plants and poison the soil for some time.
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