Some of these weed treatments require that you dilute the chemicals with water. When it comes to killing kudzu, the key is to act quickly, as it can grow up to a foot per day when conditions are right. If you’ve found yourself Googling “What kills kudzu naturally?” or “Will vinegar kill poison sumac?” it’s time for a trip to Lowe’s. Many people use only half-measures and give up too easily. Is it effective to cut kudzu vines and apply the herbicide directly to kill the root? Make sure you remove all of the root crown. It was also used as a forage crop and over 300,000 acres are planted in the southern states. Place weights such as rocks or bricks along the edges of the tarps to keep them in place. Begin by following the vine down to where it enters into the ground. Helped so much with it. Diane says. A brush killer with triclopyr, like BRUSHTOX, controls woody plants like kudzu but won’t harm most established grasses, making it ideal to use on rangeland and permanent grass pastures. As much vinegar (and time) as it takes, it makes far more sense to spend the money on Roundup which kills to … If so, what would be the salt to water ratio? ", attacked. Inside: Vinegar Weed Killer. Keep away from animals and children. For the least labor-intensive solution, you can use the Green Gobbler, which is a broad-leaf weed killer distilled from corn.I have used this weed killer in garden patches … You must exhaust the plants over a series of months or years for this method to be effective. This article has been viewed 188,711 times. Kudzu was introduced to the U.S. in the 1930s to help with erosion control. To kill kudzu, mow your lawn once a month and remove all the plant material after mowing to prevent the kudzu from taking root and growing again. In 14 years I've cut it back, but this wet summer is gaining on me! Follow this link to the product label to read about the treatment for kudzu: Ranger Pro Herbicide Product Label. It was meant as a means of erosion control and as a forage crop. Follow the 3 steps here for certain success. No spam! Is this true? The best way is to cut the vines to the ground and place a black plastic sheet over the infested area. Goats will eat kudzu far enough down to kill the vines, Robbin. Then, spray and half the solution in the other direction in lines perpendicular to the first. Reply. Just make sure that you keep the grazers away from your flower gardens! Alternatively, use a shovel or pickaxe to dig up and remove the roots. Kudzu is an aggressive vine that has the ability to grow a foot a day and smother other plant life. Overview Information Kudzu is a vine. It usually takes several treatments over a long period of time to effectively eradicate the kudzu plant. How to Kill Morning Glory in Concentrated Spots Quickest & Cheapest Solution. For more advice from our Horticultural co-author, like how to protect yourself and your other plants from the herbicide, keep reading! wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Helpful. After a few hours in 90 degree temperatures, I decided to take a break and see if I could find any information on this incredibly strong vine I had been battling all morning. It is also beneficial to place large pieces of plywood over the top of the tarps to add to further smothering of the weeds. Affiliate Disclaimer: Tipsbulletin.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, Withholding the sunshine, water, nutrients, and oxygen that a plant needs to survive eventually causes it to wither away and die. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. A lot of persistence and hard work. If you have kudzu growing on your property, it's important to work to eradicate the vine before it takes over. 2 tablespoons equals one fluid ounce. I really hate helping Monsanto, as most of my lot is wetland (the Earth's lungs) and I have pets. We have several methods for eradicating and controlling kudzu before it gets out of hand. A brush killer or systemic herbicides work, but they must contain active ingredients such as triclopyr or glyphosate. This information will provide an option to eradicate the vine. Many of these herbicides are also ideal for killing poison ivy, crabgrass, dandelions, and other lawn weeds. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. See 1 Previous . The cut stump and vines will eventually die away due to exhaustion. Kudzu is not so hard to kill if you do it right. It may seem odd, but one way many farmers control kudzu is by letting animals graze off the weeds. The vine grows mostly in the south but has also spread to other areas of the country. Pour Clorox into a plastic spray bottle and use the full-strength bleach as a weed killer. Bayer Advanced Brush Killer Plus Concentrate, Ortho Max Poison Ivy and Tough Brush Killer Concentrate, Roundup Concentrate Poison Ivy Plus Tough Brush Killer. It cannot be over emphasized that total eradication of kudzu is necessary to prevent re-growth. Pour the vinegar into a bucket, add the salt, and a couple of squirts of liquid dish soap. I use it on the gravel driveway where there are no other plants at risk. Reply. Rampant Growth Every part of the kudzu plant is larger than life -- leaves, older stems, tubers and purplish flower clusters. Be consistent if you choose to cut kudzu root. What do they look like? However, the most popular recipe for making a vinegar based weed killer includes 2 other ingredients. This article received 11 testimonials and 82% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. If your area allows this, goats have a never-ending appetite and will do away with those weeds in no time. Apply a second dose of herbicide in late summer. This part is the root crown and is what you will remove. A Faster Way to Get Rid of Kudzu . Kudzu vine removal is essential to take back the wild spaces and land in many states. Under the right growing conditions, it spreads easily, covering virtually everything that doesn't move out of its path. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. Withholding the sunshine, water, nutrients, and oxygen that a plant needs to survive eventually causes it to wither away and die. Here is how to kill kudzu vines by smothering them. There are a variety of different … The vine can grow up to 12 inches (30 cm.) The kudzu vine grows nearly a foot per day, can exceed one hundred feet in length, and is not picky about the soil or conditions it grows in. Lately, I’ve been seeing Pinterest boards and blogs with tutorials on how to make a vinegar weed killer.Friends, I’m here to tell you that their information is faulty and their vinegar weed killer will not work.. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. With any method you use to kill kudzu, be consistent. Spritz the moss, wait a day or two and pull up the dead moss with ease. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Herbicides and mowing are effective means of killing kudzu, but Clorox bleach may also work. As you walk closer to the vines you will locate intertwined clusters of them. Now that you have learned how to get rid of kudzu through control and eradication, why not share our kudzu vine killing tips with your family and friends on Pinterest and Facebook? Kudzu bugs are a type of insect known as a true bug because of their semimembranous wing type and piercing sucking mouth parts. Be safe and stay warm! You must perform continual mowing of the infested area for months, if not years, for this technique to work. Molly Anmar. Again, bleach will kill anything but if you do get some on a plant you want to keep, just wash the plant off. Follow up mechanical treatment with herbicide by spraying the foliage of re-sprouts, or cutting the tops of the root crown and painting herbicide directly on to the cut surface. This solution is also appropriate for getting rid of thistles and other unwanted vegetation. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. on Jan 4, 2018. While it was never intended to create kudzu infestations when brought to the United States, it’s an issue that needs to be handled and controlled. According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) study, the use of combined management programs can control kudzu more quickly than individual methods in use today.. An invasive weed, kudzu was introduced to the United States in the late 1800s. Receive the latest Home & Garden Tips by entering your email below: We respect your privacy and take protecting it very seriously. Someone suggested that spraying salt water on kudzu will kill it. Be sure to only spray it on what you want to get rid of as the mixture does not discriminate between plants that are wanted and those that are not. In late spring or early summer, begin your kudzu treatment once the leaves have fully expanded. Applying Herbicides Choose the right herbicide for your needs. While the invasive kudzu vine may seem like an intimidating weed to control, it is not impossible. My backyard slopes from the house to the woods, about 20 yds, and is covered in ivy, dwarf bamboo, and egad KUDZU!!! ", "I never knew about the crown, nor that I'm to remove it twice during the year. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. Spray the bleach on the tops of the kudzu vines and along the base of the vines. Approved. ", that one portion of the trees is infested with kudzu. We are learning about kudzu and had to make a presentation. There are a few things to check for when choosing an herbicide to get rid of kudzu. You are so welcome! I was tremendously relieved to learn that the vines I was pulling were, in fact, kudzu and not poison ivy, as I am terribly allergic. Killing kudzu is not a quick fix and it may take up to 10 years to eradicate it. Last Updated: March 29, 2019 As stated above, white vinegar contains acetic acid, an ingredient known to kill off weeds. Revegetation of sites following treatment is an important last step to ensure that any residual kudzu does not reestablish. Place large plastic tarps over the top of the weedy area, making sure to overlap each tarp so that no sunshine can make it to the ground. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. You should also read the instruction manual on any herbicide you purchase. Once you're done mowing down kudzu, it's important to remove all plant material after it's trimmed down. Is it harmful for humans? One or two cuttings will do little to stop kudzu. The soap helps the liquid stick to the plant while the vinegar and salt dehydrate and burn the plant. You can also try to use this solution as a homemade Japanese knotweed killer, too. This weed can cover your garage or house in a camouflage of weedy vines in no time at all. It is both invasive and aggressive in growth, but that wasn’t the intention when it was brought into the United States from Japan in the 1930s. By using our site, you agree to our. The villain is a large, evergreen shrub or small tree called Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense).It's worse than kudzu, in Grumpy's always correct opinion.Yes, I said that. Megacopta cribraria. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/39\/Kill-Kudzu-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Kill-Kudzu-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/39\/Kill-Kudzu-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid1353909-v4-728px-Kill-Kudzu-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"