How To Get Rid Of Virginia Creeper (Step By Step Guide)

How To Remove Virginia Creeper Naturally

If Virginia creeper is running wild in your garden, you can take steps to remove it without using chemicals. You can remove Virginia creeper by pruning it back or using mulch, vinegar, rock salt, or boiling water.

Pruning

To prune back Virginia creeper, you will need the following materials:

Step 1: Protect Yourself

Before you attempt to remove the Virginia creeper, protect yourself! Make sure to wear a long-sleeved shirt, safety goggles, and gloves. This will protect your arms and hands as you remove the plant.

Step 2: Start Pruning

Using the pruners, cut the central trunk of the Virginia creeper as close to the ground as possible. Sometimes it helps to cut the grass around the roots of this weed so that you can get the sheers nearly flush to the ground. This will help to cut the plant closest to the ground.

Step 3: Remove The Creeper

Remove the Virginia creeper from its host plants and structures. Be careful as you remove the Virginia creeper vines from the surrounding areas. If the vines are wrapped tightly, they can easily damage surfaces.

Step 4: Maintain

Watch for new growth and cut it away as it returns. It is likely that Virginia creeper will grow back over time, but continued clipping can limit this.

Remove Virginia Creeper With Mulch

Mulch is another option to remove Virginia creeper naturally. Virginia creeper needs everything a regular plant needs to grow: sunlight, water, and air. If you cover Virginia creeper with mulch, it will cut the vine off from its resources!

Using Vinegar To Remove Virginia Creeper

Vinegar is a natural acid that can get rid of stubborn Virginia creeper vines. To use vinegar to remove Virginia creeper, you will need the following tools:

Removing Creeper With Rock Salt

Rock salt is another natural alternative to removing Virginia creeper. This should only be utilized if there are not many nearby plants. Rock salt will also prevent the growth of new plants in the area for a period of time.

Boiling Water Can Kill Virginia Creeper

Boiling water can be utilized to kill Virginia creeper naturally. Follow these steps to get rid of Virginia creeper using boiling water.

How To Kill Virginia Creeper Using Chemicals

If you tried to remove Virginia creeper naturally and it keeps coming back, it may be time to try herbicides.

To completely kill Virginia creeper, you’ll need the following tools:

Step 1: Put On Protective Gear

Safety first! Make sure to wear a long-sleeved shirt, gloves, and glasses to protect yourself from chemicals. These items will also protect you from getting scratched up by Virginia creeper vines.

Step 2: Remove The Vines

Remove the Virginia creeper from nearby host plants and structures. Be careful not to damage other plants as you remove the vines.

Step 3: Lay Out The Vines

Stretch the length of the vine out along the ground. Do not remove it from the soil yet. Don’t pull too hard as you’re doing this or you run the risk of breaking the vine and making it harder to pull out.

To protect your grass from being damaged by herbicides, lay a tarp beneath the Virginia creeper vine. This will prevent the herbicide from being sprayed on your grass and other plants.

Step 4: Apply The Herbicide

Spray the vine with herbicide. Follow any product instructions to ensure you dilute the herbicide as directed.

Please be sure to protect your skin and face when you’re applying these sa some of them may be toxic or harmful for human consumption.

Step 5: Paint The Stem

Dip a paintbrush in the herbicide and paint on the cut Virginia creeper stem. Be careful not to drip the herbicide on surrounding plants.

Step 6: Let It Sit

Allow 48 hours for the herbicide to sit on the vine undisturbed. Spray the vine when the weather is going to be clear as the rain can interfere with the process.

Step 7: Dispose Of The Vines And Maintain The Area

After 48 hours, remove the Virginia creeper at the soil level with the pruners. Place the vines into the trash bag and dispose of them.

Regularly check the cut stem for new growth. Prune back the stem and paint with herbicide as needed to stop new growth.

It’s a good idea to check the stem at least every month or so as this grows rather quickly. Checking frequently will help you prevent the issue in the first place.

How Do You Identify Virginia Creeper?

Virginia creeper is a five-leaved ivy plant that is sometimes mistaken for poison ivy. Never fear, there’s an easy way to tell these two plants apart. Poison ivy only has three leaves, so if your garden invader has five leaves, it’s likely Virginia creeper.

Virginia creepers have woody vines and develop blue-colored berries and red leaves in the fall. They climb on or along nearby plants, taking sunlight and nutrients from them as they go.

Wrapping Up

Virginia creeper, if not watched closely, can overtake an entire garden. It can kill surrounding plants by taking away necessary sunlight and nutrients. You can remove Virginia creeper naturally by pruning it back or utilizing mulch, vinegar, rock salt, or boiling water.

If natural remedies don’t seem to be working, you can use a glyphosate herbicide to kill Virginia creeper. Always use safety goggles and gloves when using herbicides to protect yourself from chemicals.

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