how to get rid of wild vines

Barbara H July 02, 2011

Wild vines often with their tiny flowers seem like a romantic shady addition to a fence line. I understand however they may tend to take over everything in sight and ruin the fence. The first objective might be to identify the vine you wish to control. The second link below may help with the identification. It also has some advice for extermination. For a less toxic path you might check the first link. I usually just put on some good gloves and remove by hand or use a weedeater at the base.

MML Staff_Erin H EXPERT July 12, 2011

I agree with Barbara's advice that you should identify it first --- after all, poison ivy is a vine. :-) Once you get rid of the vines -- and pulling or cutting off is a good option unless the fence is massively long -- is to slip a barrier under the bottom of the fence. I've used old carpet runners and covered them with mulch, but you could also use roofing paper, cardboard or other material that won't decompose quickly. ----- If you happen to have a photo of the vine you can attach to a reply, I'll see if I can identify it.