Our property is infested with a vine declared an invasive species by the Maine Extension folks. In beds, I can just keep pulling it out. Although that does not eradicate it, it at least keeps it under some degree of control. In one area in particular, it has really taken over this year. This vine has the ability to actually alter the soil chemistry to make in inhospitable to native plants. It is virtually impossible to eradicate it just by digging up plants.
So I decided to take the big step of spraying it with Roundup, which contains glyphosate, one of the herbicides that is supposed to kill it, and in the recommended concentration. The other herbicide, triclopyr, seems to be impossible to find. The extension fact sheet says that “repeat application” might be necessary.
My question is this: how long do you have to wait before you know whether the Roundup really worked? Has anyone used triclopyr, and is it better?
The area where I am spraying it is not near any wetlands, so I am not concerned about it draining into them.
I would use Roundup any day over any chlorinated weed killer. Roundup should work within a week - if you see yellowing of the leaves, good. Try to get the undersides of the leaves, that’s where the absorption apparently happens.
Just looked at your link. Ugh. Roundup the heck out of it!
My husband sprayed Roundup on a bed of weeds 10 days ago. Last week the bed didn’t look any different, but when I walked by it today I noticed that it is virtually free of weeds.
If you pull a vine out, and there is a short stem left, try “painting” it with concentrated Roundup. This trick takes care of woody stuff like stumps that have a tendency to sprout.
“Swallow-wort control may take a few years and it is important not to use more herbicide than is necessary.”
Always try to get your neighbors on board with efforts to control invasive species. I have to kill the same invasive species in my yard year after year because my neighbors think it is pretty.
@MaterS , we have 3+ acres and our surrounding neighbors have 2- 20+, and this stuff isn’t right on the line, so bordering properties really aren’t an issue.
Honeysuckle bushes are invading my state. We cut them back to about 18 inches high, then spray Roundup on the new growth 2-3 times a year for a couple of years. It beats digging them up. Those invasive plants really want to live.
Struggling with that and other invasives. We are on well and septic, but our neighbors also suggest Roundup, and recommended that we call MOFGA with questions.
We have had that darn swallowwort for about 3 years. Neighbor and I have chosen not to use chemicals because the the swallowwort is growing along our lakeshore. I am ready to use chemicals when she goes on vacation! These are the craziest weeds in that they wind themselves around other plants (even my tall grasses) and basically choke them to death. The first year, I tried pulling them out by the root, but was told by not getting the entire “bulb” I was creating more of a problem. The last two years I try to break the vine as close to the bottom of the plant as possible and this helps.
Is it true that once roundup is applied to an area that nothing will grow there for up to one year?
I’ve used Roundup with success on somethings and not on others. If the spec sheet says it works, give it a try. Invasive species are a pain.
The worst battle I ever fought was self inflicted - I planted mint. You can’t dig it out. You can’t Round-up it. You can’t starve it for water (lived in Central CA with no rain so I was in control). Had it in MD planted by landlord and it survived single digits and being buried in snow.
Roundup isn’t a residual herbicide. In zone 5, it works in 6-9 days, faster if it’s sprayed on hot and sunny days. You think it isn’t working–be patient–results will come! 24D or dicamba will have those broadleaf weeds wilting within hours, but Roundup is a different mode of action and results in a more complete desiccation and better kill on tough plants.
Everything works best on smaller and younger weeds/vines, so cutting them back before spraying helps. I have never known Round-up to not work, unless there is a torrential downpour within minutes. Roundup will work even if it rains after application, as long as it is on the plant 15-30 minutes.
Get the better stuff for your money. Go to an ag co-op or farm store and buy concentrate; do not buy the weak and comparatively worthless stuff from a big box store. A 2 or 3 gallon garden sprayer works great for application. Surfactant helps even more–you can buy it cheaply or add a couple T of dish soap to the sprayer.
Triclopyr is a good brushkiller and especially good at killing chickweed and clover in lawns, without damaging the grass. You can get it from Do My Own Pest Control (no spaces).
My personal battles are with nutsedge and the last couple of years, a new invasion in our area of purslane. Ug!
@Kajon Have you looked into Rodeo? I believe it can be used on lakeshores. @Consolation I’ve given up hand pulling invasive plants in my yard–it doesn’t do anything in the long run. I only use Roundup on invasive plants and find that if I keep at it I can wipe them out so I don’t have to continue with Roundup applications!
@BunsenBurner , what do you mean by a chlorinated weed killer?
BTW, the area that I sprayed is definitely showing signs that something is happening. The edges of many of the swallowwort leaves have turned whitish and the plant looks sickly. Yeah! I’m going to buy some more and attack some other areas along the edge of the woods. Alas, one of the worst spots is a bed that contains a mass of tradescantia in blue and white, and some white peonies and bearded iris. I’m going to transplant the iris, and earlier this summer, I transplanted the astilbe out of that bed into my new shade garden on the other side of the house, but I would hate to devastate the trandescantia, which has taken over the area since I planted the first ones about 20 yrs ago. I’ve pulled out all that I can.
Round up does work – in a while and for a while. The poison ivy killer is more effective for vines and plants that tend to reappear (such as honeysuckle, multiflora roses, etc.) It seems to kill them permanently (rather than for most of the season. )
A chloroorganic compound, i.e., a compound containing C-Cl bonds is usually pretty darn stable and not easily biodegradable. In soil, Roundup apparently decomposes into ammonia, CO2, and inorganic phosphates. All are OK in my opinion. Half-life of Roundup is about 1.5 months at best, and that means that by the next spring there will be nothing left. I do think that Roundup is one of the least nasty herbicides out there.
I had success “painting” weeds in tightly planted beds with concentrated Roundup without killing the other plants.
I’ve used both round up and triclopyr. I’ve heard that triclopyr is more effective on vines but that may be regional. You should be able to get both, in higher concentrates, in any hardware store. Then you mix the concoction yourself and make it stronger or weaker. The label should tell you which concentration is best for which weed. Commercial brands of triclopyr are Brush be Gone and Stump
Killer.
Both will be taken into the vascular system of the plant, down to the roots, and kill the whole thing. The problem is that many plants have thick and starchy roots that store lots of energy and can regenerate the plant. So it will take several applications. It is more effective in fall when the plant is sending energy back to the roots rather than out into new growth. But it’s still effective as long as there’s a green leaf or cut surface to spray.
The worst vine around me is called cat’s claw. It swallows houses! If I can’t easily drench it because it is between other plants, and I can’t dig it up, then I coil it around my hand, shove it into a ziplock bag, spray it inside the bag and zip it closed as best I can. Then I prop it on whatever and make sure nothing drips out.
Yes, I used roundup to get rid of a trumpet vine. It took a couple years, I hate that thing. But what I did was snip any vine at the ground and spray the stalk. The chemical needs to get inside and travel. I did that over and over to any vines that came up and finally it’s gone. DH did get in and try to pull up some of the biggest roots which helped. I now do that with weeds. I clip and spray. It’s amazing at how it’s kept those weeds away this summer. You have to take care not to get it by your flowers, etc.