Thanks everyone. I think I may try to get it out while the getting is somewhat good. While will probably involve hiring it done, as I don't have the time and strength to take on something as hard as this sounds.

Rats are just what I need. I already have a problem with really big white-tailed varmints that other people call "deer."

The native phlox posters have me inspired. Here's hoping.

The only way I found to get rid of ivy is to mow it with the lawnmower (and old one as this wrecks the blade, which will then need to be sharpened or replaced) then wait until it rains and the ground is soft and then pull it up. Wear gloves and a long sleeve shirt as the sap is harsh on your hands and arms. Pretty much the only way to remove a large bed of ivy, without using roundup. no it is not dead. English ivy attracts rats. GL

I HIGHLY highly doubt it. It just hasn't greened up yet. I pulled mine off the fence and tree last year after it went dormant and it looks REALLY bad now.

Anonymous wrote:Mine too. Let's hope for the best.

And mine. First spring in a new house, and I'm concerned it's not coming back. DH assures me that it's nearly impossible to kill it even when you're trying.

I don't know, but for the record I literally ripped the skin off of my hands pulling up my Ivy. I literally dug inches down and still hand to use my whole strength to completely rip it out. Had to go back twice to totally get rid of it.

Given that, I'd be more worried about a fungus or something that will kill EVERYTHING in your yard. Any strange smells? How pervasive was the Ivy?

Mine too. Let's hope for the best.

No way. Nothing kills that shit.

Buehler? Buehler?

I have beds of English Ivy around the house that I've always hated, but that have seemed indestructible. That stuff just creeps and keeps going, and I'd resigned myself to just beating it back into place.

Right now it all looks completely dead. Leaves gone, nothing but big nests of dry-looking brown stems. I don't remember it ever looking this way before.

Did this winter really kill it? Can I finally rip it out and replace? Or is it just fooling me and biding its time?