Are you looking for ways how to get rid of virginia creeper? Then you have come to the right place. Virginia creeps can make your home look unpleasant to the eyes. It can become a reason of headache for you if not being removed quickly.
It can kill other plants as it grows above them. And if unfortunately if your walls have any damage or crack the vine can easily get through them and cause damage. There are several ways to get rid of virginia creeper. You will get to know about them further here.
How to recognize Virginia Creeper?
Virginia creeper or Parthenocissus quinquefolia is a deciduous plant. The leaflets of this woody vine have saw-toothed borders. It is frequently confused with poison ivy, which has only three leaflets. However, the two are frequently seen growing together.
Virginia creepers also grow well in a dense situation as they grow in contact with the sun. The leaves turn bright red in the fall. This red color makes the plant more beautiful. It grows blueberries which are favorite food for birds. But the whole plant including berries is harmful to humans.
How Does Virginia Creeper Spread?
Virginia creeper grows from seed and spreads by roots anywhere the stems come into contact with the ground. It doesn’t mind if it grows 50 feet up anything or 50 feet along the ground. This clever vine creates branched tendrils with adhesive “pads” at the terminals to help it climb and spread wherever it grows, which is one of the reasons it’s so tough to control. If left to its own ways, Virginia creeper will climb up almost anything and if that thing is alive, such as a tree, the vine will eventually strangle it.
6 ways to get rid of Virginia creeper
1. Removing Virginia Creeper Manually
Virginia creeper problems can be solved manually. At first, you need to wear gloves. Then start to pull the runners and tendrils from the end of the wine. Make sure that the associated roots of the vine are also have been pulled along with them. These simple steps can help you to get rid of Virginia creeper.
2. Using Herbicide
If you are not able to remove the Virginia creeper manually then you can try using herbicide. You might be wondering what herbicide kills Virginia creeper Mainly glyphosate is used for Virginia creeper. Before applying it follow the instructions given in the label.
Glyphosate is basically a systematic herbicide. This means chemical herbicide will be absorbed by the plant through leaves. Then it will go into the whole plant system as well as into the roots. That is why this is most effective when it comes to remove the whole root system.
3. Using Vinegar And Water
A question might be raised in your mind how will vinegar kill Virginia creeper. But the fact is that white vinegar can kill Virginia creeper because it is highly acidic in nature. But you need to cut the creeper back first because the vinegar mixture can also harm your other plants.
A mixture of 20/80 vinegar and water can be made. Then put it on a sprayer to spray and the vine will be dead in 3 days.
4. Using Rock Salt
Rock salt can also help to kill Virginia creeper. But you need to make sure that there aren’t many plants nearby. It will also help to prevent the growth of other plants for a longer period of time.
At first, take one gallon of water and mix one cup of rock salt into it. Allow the rock salt to dissolve properly. Pour the mixture around the base of the creeper. Wait for several days and you will that the vines are dead. Pull them out and repeat the same process until all the creepers are dead.
5. Using Mulch
By covering the afflicted regions with mulch, you can destroy this vine. Plants, as we all know, require air, water, and sunlight to flourish. Mulch deprives the Virginia creeper of essential nutrients. It may take many weeks to see the effects of this method.
The best kind of materials of mulch are the bark, old newspaper, grass cutting dead leaves. These easily get decomposed in the soil. Plastic sheeting can also be used as an alternative. Cover the Virginia creeper with mulch to make sure that they can’t get into the contact of any air or light. Wait for a few weeks and you will see dead vines.
When they are dead, the mulch will get decomposed in the garden and will make excellent compost. If you were using plastic sheeting then remove it when the vines die.
6. Pruning
Before removing the Virginia creeper you need to protect yourself. At first, wear a long-sleeved shirt, gloves, and safety goggles. These will make sure that your arms and hands are protected while removing the plants.
Take the pruners and cut the middle trunk of the creeper and make sure that the trunk is as near to the ground as possible. Most of the time it helps to cut the grass around the root of this vine. This will also help to cut the plant nearest to the ground.
Now remove the creeper from its anchor plants. Be aware when you are removing the creeper vines from the surrounding areas. If the vines are stuck very tightly, they will damage the surface.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Virginia Creeper poisonous?
Answer: Both the vine’s leaves and berries are deadly to both people and dogs. They have oxalate crystals in them. The sap from the vine can also irritate human skin.
Can you get rid of Virginia creeper with a lawnmower?
Answer: A lawnmower can be used to get rid of Virginia creeper. To effectively cut and kill the vines while you mow, use a gas-powered mower. Electric and rotary mowers will most likely simply run over the Virginia creeper, killing it.
When is the best time to get rid of Virginia creeper?
Answer: It is recommended to try to eliminate Virginia creeper in the mid-to-late summer, especially if a herbicide is being used. Herbicides are most effective on Virginia creeper when it has a lot of growth and leaf area. This growth is most common in the late summer months.
What is Virginia Creeper good for?
Answer: Surprisingly, the bark of Virginia Creeper was once employed as cough medication. Because of its rapid growth, it’s also useful as a ground cover down slopes to prevent erosion. It can be extremely useful for this purpose as long as it is maintained and cut down on a regular basis.
Final Words
Virginia creepers are toxic and harmful for humans. So if you see growing vines of them in your house or garden, then you need to take the necessary steps to get rid of them. Otherwise, your house and the plants in the garden can be damaged and your health might also get hampered.
