How to Remove Ivy Suckers From Siding
Ivy is a very strong and hardy vine that can completely take over a building or home, if left unchecked. Because of their strong and casting tendrils, the ivy can overtake cracks inside your home, as well as your gutters. If you have ivy growing around your home, it's essential to periodically check that it has not begun to invade the side of your home, which can permanently damage your siding.
Cut off the ivy sucker shoots at the base of the root structure, where the suckers originate. Dig out the root ball with your garden spade to remove the plant entirely from the ground. Remember if you don’t kill the roots, the ivy suckers will sprout back up and around the siding.
Don’t tug at the ivy suckers until they have turned brown and withered, an indication the ivy plant is dead. Pulling live suckers can damage the siding and leave remnants of the vine on the wall, so wait until the plant has died back.
- Ivy is a very strong and hardy vine that can completely take over a building or home, if left unchecked.
- If you have ivy growing around your home, it's essential to periodically check that it has not begun to invade the side of your home, which can permanently damage your siding.
Gently remove the suckers from the siding with your hands. Take a small scrub brush and remove any left over bits and pieces from the siding. With a bucket of warm water, gently wipe down the brown residue left over from the plant.
Wipe clean with a soft cloth to ensure you have removed all of the ivy suckers. Inspect the area for any small shoots that you missed. Spray a weed killer over the area to ensure the suckers don’t come back.
Tip
Always check to ensure the ivy suckers have not invaded your gutters, which can severely affect the water drainage in your home.
Remove the suckers as soon as they have died to prevent siding rot and oxidation.
For wood siding, use a paint scraper to remove the ivy shoots from the surface.
Warning
Never use a pressure washing system to remove ivy suckers on vinyl siding. This heavy-duty process can permanently damage the siding.
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Tips
- Always check to ensure the ivy suckers have not invaded your gutters, which can severely affect the water drainage in your home.
- Remove the suckers as soon as they have died to prevent siding rot and oxidation.
- For wood siding, use a paint scraper to remove the ivy shoots from the surface.
Warnings
- Never use a pressure washing system to remove ivy suckers on vinyl siding. This heavy-duty process can permanently damage the siding.
Writer Bio
Callie Barber has been writing professionally since 2002. Barber's love for design and writing inspired her to create Design Your Revolution, a blog that shares creative and affordable ways to decorate indoor and outdoor living environments. Her articles have appeared on Travels.com and GardenGuides.com. Barber holds a Bachelors of Arts in international studies from the University of North Carolina.
