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A house overgrown with Virginia creeper is a feast for the eyes, and it also hums and growls - the climbing plant offers numerous animals a welcome home. But before you decide to plant greenery with the plant, also known as maidenhair vine, be aware that it can be very difficult to remove and often only with the use of chemicals.
Removing Virginia creeper is a challenge
removal of tendrils
The removal of the tendrils is comparatively easy. To do this, simply cut through the main shoots just above the ground - preferably at the beginning of the vegetation period - and wait until the individual tendrils have died. This can take a few days to weeks. The plant can then be pulled or torn from the ground, but quite a lot of stubborn residue remains.
remove root
At the same time, you should try to remove the root without leaving any residue - the less root remains, the better! Unfortunately, the Virginia creeper is able to sprout again even from the smallest root residues and these can also hide under or in the foundation or in tiny cracks and cracks. Dig out the individual root parts as generously as possible. Unfortunately, chemical agents are not a solution due to their negative effects on people and nature.
Remove remains of Virginia creeper
Now it gets really tricky, because the adhesive feet and the twigs attached to them are extremely tight and can only be removed with great effort - and often not very successfully. Various methods are available for this, which are selected depending on the substrate.
Burn with the gas burner
A very effective method is burning off with a gas burner, although for understandable reasons this is only possible on masonry without any external insulation. Wooden surfaces are also not suitable for this. After burning, brush away the ash and dry plant remains with a steel or wire brush, then a new coat of paint is due.
high pressure cleaner
Plant residues can also be removed with a hot water high-pressure cleaner (€119.90). With this method, however, it is advisable to first soak and work on the remains with acetic acid and a brush.
brushing and sanding
Plant residues can be removed from surfaces with rough plaster in particular with a drill (97.00€) or angle grinder with wire brush attachment, flap disc or diamond milling insert.
Knock off plaster and plaster again
If all else fails, you can only knock off the entire plaster and plaster the facade again.
tips
You can also coat the plant remains with diluted hydrochloric acid or acetic acid and then remove them using one of the methods mentioned. As a rule, the painting should be done several times.