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How to Get Rid of Ground Ivy or Creeping Charlie in My Yard?

How to Get Rid of Ground Ivy or Creeping Charlie in My Yard?

Ground Ivy, also known as Creeping Charlie, is a deceptively attractive weed and member of the mint family…

Jun 29,2019

Ground Ivy, also known as Creeping Charlie, is a deceptively attractive weed and member of the mint family that is resilient and rapidly invasive, making it incredibly difficult to control. It is quick to fill empty space with its small, fuzzy, scalloped-edged leaves and blueish violet flowers. These perennial weeds are unbelievably difficult to manage because they establish multiple roots and grow close to the ground, suffocating many plants around it.

How to Get Rid of Ground Ivy or Creeping Charlie in My Yard?

We, at Sesmas Tree Service in Lawrenceville, have witnessed our share of Creeping Charlie and can tell you that you better act quick when you see it or you will have a tough battle on your hands later. To help you on your endeavor, we have put together some tips on how to get rid of Ground Ivy in your yard. If you have additional questions or concerns, then please feel free to call Sesmas Tree Service and we can have a certified arborist come out to your property to assist.

Remove Small Amounts of Ground Ivy by Hand

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If you are lucky enough to catch Ground Ivy in its beginning stages, then the remedy is fairly easy. If you only see a few plants here and there, then your two hands are more than enough to get to the root of the problem. Pun intended.

Begin with pruning the weed by cutting off loose vines in order to get rid of vines not rooted into the ground and expose only the areas that need to be pulled. Remember to put on some gloves, however, because Ground Ivy can cause skin irritation and itching. Next, grab the plant by the roots and pull it out. Water the area to soften it if the ground is hard and dry. Remember to put the plants in a disposal bag and not leave them lying on the ground. Finally, dig through the soil and ensure that there are no root pieces left behind.

Smother the Creeping Charlie

Ground Ivy thrives in the shade but completely depriving it of sunlight for an extended period of time will kill it. Grab some newspaper, tarp, or cardboard and lay it on the area with the vines. Extend the coverage to 12 inches beyond the weeds to completely block out the sunlight. Weight the cover down to keep it from blowing away. Wait at least a week and check under the cover to see if there are any green spots. When it is shriveled and brown, the Creeping Charlie is ready to be pulled and disposed just as you would with the pulling method.

Customer Reviews

3 large Leyland Cypress trees removed near front of our home. Excellent service, professional crew, very competitive pricing for superior work! Rolando provided the initial estimate and the  follow up and was the best in terms of customer relations. I'd both use this company again AND highly recommend them.

Susan Hitchcock

This is the 2nd time we have used Sesmas Tree Service. They are a wonderful company to deal with. They were on time, professional, and very thorough. They cleaned up prior to leaving and went out of their way to protect our plants and landscaping. And they kept to their proposal with no hidden cost or add ons. Definitely a five star experience!

Gene McFadden

Wow!  I deal with tree services in my professional work and I can honestly say Sesmas is by far the most professional, best equipped, efficient, safety conscious, and communicative service I've ever encountered.  Their price was very reasonable and they even went so far as to include additional work without increasing the price.  Call them!  Now! They are very quick to respond.

Scott McLendon

We've used Sesmas several times and have always received excellent service.  Estimates are quick and easy and the crew is efficient and leaves the property clean of debris.  Recently we needed a tree removed next to a heavily landscaped area.  Sebastian went over everything with me in detail and listened to my concerns.  The crew did an excellent job in removing the tree with minimal disturbance to the surrounding area.  We are pleased and will consider them again in the future for pruning and tree removal.

Tonia Griswold

Sesmas Tree Service was amazing! I had two dead trees cut and a lot of trees that were already down on my property removed. Sebastian came out and sent the quote in writing within 24 hours. We were in the process of scheduling the service when a slot opened up sooner snd I was able to go ahead and get the work done. Everything was explained ahead of time for what to expect. The crew was very efficient and professional.  All of the work and cleanup was done in one day. I would recommend Sesmas for your tree cutting/cleanup needs.

LaDora Woods

I hired Sesmas to cut down a very tricky tree that was hanging over my house as well as a few large limbs. They did a great job and had the machinery to get the job done right.

Perry Hartman

Great experience with Sesmas. They were meticulous with my tree removal, safe and efficient. David’s communication throughout the process was much appreciated. Highly recommend!

Lindsay Ellenburg

Great experience with Sesmas Tree Service. The arborist who came out was a Board Certified Master Arborist, and you could immediately tell he knew his stuff. He took the time to explain what needed to be done, gave us clear options, and helped us feel confident from start to finish. The whole process was easy and professional. We’ll definitely use them again.

Ed Martin

Bring Out the Herbicide

If the Ground Ivy has extended out far and wide, then the first two options will be unreasonable. Be sure to pick the herbicide with care as many herbicides will kill off anything in its path. Choose a day toward the end of fall when the weed is preparing for winter dormancy. Dont forget to wear gloves, goggles, and protective clothing. Soak the Creeping Charlie while avoiding garden plants to the best of your ability. Let the chemicals absorb for a couple of days. Do not mow for those two days.

Call the Professionals at Sesmas Tree Service

Sesmas Tree Service has years of experience and certified arborists that are trained and equipped to take care of invasive weeds. If you prefer to have an expert handle the problem, then call Sesmas Tree Service today to schedule your appointment.

 

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