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Is there a chemical that will kill ivy?

PeterJarvisPeterJarvis Posts: 123
in Problem solving
I find that Roundup doesn't work on ivy, but have so much in certain places that hand weeding it is very arduous. Any tips?
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  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    You need one that's called "brushwood killer" or similar. I used one that was glyphosate-based on ivy that had the roots going under the garage so I couldn't get them out. I took off all the top growth then sprayed the new regrowth when it appeared (repeatedly, every time it came back). It gave up eventually. I think the mature leaves are more leathery and resistant.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Roundup isn't strong enough to kill ivy.
    I had about 40ft of ivy on a fence, I used a strong form of Roundup called Rosate.
    I sprayed it 3 times over about 2 months (April and May) and it killed all if it.
    That was several years ago and it hasn't reappeared 

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    I've just done a quick search and, although it seems counter intuitive, the suggestion is to spray with glyphosate during the autumn and winter months.
  • didywdidyw Posts: 3,573
    If you have a lot of it, beware that there could be birds nesting in it at the moment.
    Gardening in East Suffolk on dry sandy soil.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Now would be a very bad time. As @didyw says it might affect nesting birds.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    KT53 said:
    I've just done a quick search and, although it seems counter intuitive, the suggestion is to spray with glyphosate during the autumn and winter months.
    I can't think how that would work.
    If the plant is dormant the glyphosate won't be absorbed, so don't see how that could work, but I'd be interested to read about it if you have any links - never too old to learn! Even now :smile:


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    edited April 2022
    Pete.8 said:
    KT53 said:
    I've just done a quick search and, although it seems counter intuitive, the suggestion is to spray with glyphosate during the autumn and winter months.
    I can't think how that would work.
    If the plant is dormant the glyphosate won't be absorbed, so don't see how that could work, but I'd be interested to read about it if you have any links - never too old to learn! Even now :smile:


    I've just looked at the instructions on a box of Roundup Stump Killer and that says to apply in the winter months too.  The links I found simply said to do it in the winter months, but didn't explain why.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    That instruction seems to apply only to 'standing trees' where it's applied to wounds made in the trunk between Nov-March when the tree is dormant - so I guess the glyphosate sort of drains down to the roots.
    Using that method between March-Sept, the rising sap would prevent glyphosate from reaching the roots.
    I didn't know it could be used in that way, so thanks for the info :)

    It seems for any other use it needs to be applied to leaves when plants are actively growing so that the plant will absorb the glyphosate through the leaves and transport it to the rest of the plant.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • SkandiSkandi Posts: 1,723
    If you are applying it to leaves give them a good scrunching before you do. the waxy coating on ivy leaves stops the herbicide being absorbed.
    We cut all the ivy off of our house and used a brushwood killer on it, it came back weakly for a couple of years but after a second treatment with glycophospate it's given up.
  • CH1973CH1973 Posts: 73
    I have been tackling ivy for years on electric poles. Just cut the stems at the base or 2 cuts and use a hammer to knock the bit of stem out. It wilts within days and just leave it. Eventually it loosens it grip and you can pull it off. Where safety glasses because the dust is unreal and goes in your eyes and every where else. Best way.. cut and wait 😃
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