Asked on Feb 14, 2017

How do I get rid of English ivy?

Louise
by Louise
I'd want it gone ideally before spring when it starts growing again. Most of it is like what you see in the photo -- not very thick at the moment. Last year, I paid a guy to spray it for me but he never came back to finish the job of 3 sprays. This particular patch is in a neighbor's yard and they're OK with my removing it (they never do anything in their yard and this will grow into my yard if I don't remove it) and I'd rather not go there to pull it all up so spraying is my removal of choice. But what's the best thing to use? Yrs ago I bought something from a landscaping supply company (which is no longer in business) that did a good job. Don't remember what the product was, tho. I realize that ivy doesn't respond well to most sprays due to the waxy, thick leaves. Is it too cold to spray it now? We've been having a lot of mid 60s weather recently.

  14 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Feb 14, 2017

    homeguides.sfgate.com/rid-ivy-white-vinegar-22241.html

  • Linda Wilson Linda Wilson on Feb 14, 2017

    Please don't spray anything! Tons of that stuff is toxic and will leach into the ground, ground water and surrounding areas.

    Ivy is horrid and not easy. It is easier than bamboo!

    I would use borax from any grocery store. Borax will kill anything that you cover. Put a fine sprinkle over the entire area where the ivy grows.

    You will need to do this repeatedly throughout the season. Keep an eye on it, after it rains you will need to reapply. At some point, you will realize it is gone. Good luck!

  • Louise Louise on Feb 14, 2017

    Borax, the powder? Do I need to mix it with water or just sprinkle it onto the ivy?

  • Hillela G. Hillela G. on Feb 15, 2017

    Combine three pounds of salt with 1/4 cup of liquid soap in one gallon of water, then pour the mixture into a spray bottle or garden sprayer.

    • Jan11498245 Jan11498245 on Feb 19, 2017

      I think you mean 3 cups of salt not 3 lbs. This is great as a natural weed killer in

      the driveway as well.

  • Pgl Pgl on Feb 15, 2017

    As long as there is a bit of root left it will grow. Check with your county agricultural office for advice. Until then just mix table salt with water it will kill the roots . Mix i tbs slat to 2 cups water and pour. Make sure you do not get to close to young trees shrubs or flowers.


  • Jeanette Randolph Jeanette Randolph on Feb 16, 2017

    Just cut it and pull it up. I had it growing up the front of my brick apt. and had to pull the feelers off the brick then take a screw driver for the ones that were stubborn.

    • Carol Harris Carol Harris on Feb 16, 2017

      yes, that's what I did, I wanted some but it got so thick I had to cut it back and pull some of it up. Its also pretty in a pot, then you can keep it contained. I try not to use any toxic poison.

  • N N on Feb 17, 2017

    i love it, would love to have it here, but won't grow, one persons....etc.

  • Tazzy Tazzy on Feb 18, 2017

    I really hope these tips work im getting overran with the horrid stuff its Suffocating everything

  • SAM11272792 SAM11272792 on Feb 18, 2017

    BRUSH KILLER FROM HOME DEPOT OR LOWES

  • Doris Doris on Feb 19, 2017

    I had to dig mine up. It was a ground cover along the foundation. Did this two years ago and have a few pieces popping up to dig up. Get the roots!

  • Nan Nan on Feb 28, 2017

    Pull it out starting in the spring when it's sparse.

  • Kim Proul Kim Proul on Mar 04, 2017

    pull,pull,pull

  • Retta Robinson Retta Robinson on Mar 04, 2017

    I don't suggest that a woman try to pull it out. You'll hurt your back! Seriously! I had a LOT of well established ivy in my woodsy shaded yard and this worked for me. Use a garden sprayer with both Round-UP and BrushBGone mixed according to directions. Add a few drops of liquid dishwashing soap to break through the waxy surface of the leaves. Spray generously. Leaves will turn brown and dry up in 2-3 weeks leaving the next layer of ivy exposed. Do it again. The second application should weaken the ivy to the point you can control it. If you really want to kill the roots, it may take another application. I dont think you can successfully pull ivy out. The roots run too deep and if you leave even a tiny bit, it will grow again.