How to Get Rid of Kudzu

What is Kudzu

Kudzu is a fast-growing, deciduous, perennial vine native to East Asia. It has large trifoliate leaves that are 3 to 6 inches long and have a triangular or heart shape. The plant can grow up to 60 feet in length and produces clusters of purple flowers from June through October. Kudzu grows aggressively by twining its stems around objects such as trees, fences, and buildings. At the same time, it develops an extensive root system that allows it to spread rapidly over any available surface. This makes kudzu difficult to control since it can quickly overtake other plants in an area if left unchecked. So how do we get rid of kudzu?

Why Get Rid Of It?

People in the American south want to get rid of kudzu because it is an invasive species that can quickly take over a landscape. It spreads rapidly, and its vines cover trees, shrubs, and other plants, depriving them of sunlight and eventually killing them. The thick mats of kudzu also prevent new plant growth from establishing itself. Beyond environmental damage, kudzu can be hazardous for humans as well since it can cause power outages due to its tendency to climb up utility poles. Additionally, the roots of this weed can grow into cracks in buildings or sidewalks, leading to expensive repairs.

Kudzu can have a wide range of negative effects on animals and wildlife in the American South. For one, this fast-growing vine smothers other vegetation in its path, reducing the amount of available food for local herbivores. Kudzu also reduces habitat complexity by replacing trees and shrubs with an impenetrable wall of foliage, making it difficult for small mammals to find shelter or nesting spots. Additionally, kudzu can cause localized flooding as it clogs up rivers and streams by entangling itself around rocks and logs. This is particularly problematic for fish populations that rely on healthy aquatic habitats to thrive. Finally, kudzu provides cover for predators such as coyotes, who use the dense foliage to hide while hunting smaller prey species like rabbits or birds. All these factors combine to create a serious problem that must be addressed if we are going to preserve our natural ecosystems.

Crown Removal

Completely destroying the extensive and deep underground system of kudzu is not essential for controlling it in the long term. Instead, eradicating the root crown and any rooting runners is sufficient. The root crown is a fibrous knob made up of numerous vine nodes that are connected to the ground and can be as small as a pea or as big as a basketball. Crowns age in relation to how far down the ground they are. Nodes and crowns are the origins of all kudzu vines, and roots are unable to grow vines. If some part of the root crown is left behind after removal, the plant may still return.

Manual control of kudzu involves cutting the main root system off below ground level, which will instantly kill it. Just cutting the above-ground vines isn’t enough to do the job. All removed root material must be destroyed, as it can still regenerate if buried. Unfortunately, kudzu can spread if its root system is unknowingly transported in soil from an infected area.

Goats

Regularly mowing, grazing animals for many years, or cultivating the area can help reduce kudzu. If done in the spring, cutting off the vines needs to be repeated to be effective. Continuously removing the plant appears to reduce its stored energy reserves. Kudzu can be used for animal food, burned, or composted.

In 2010, Tennessee implemented a trial program to manage kudzu growth where they employed llamas and goats to graze on the plant. To tackle the same issue North Carolina, and Florida, have also launched similar initiatives.

Burning

Prescribed burning can be an effective way to eliminate large sections of kudzu and encourage the germination of its seeds so that the seedlings can then be killed. This method is best used in areas where there are no structures or other plants that could be damaged by fire, as it is not a good way to kill the plant without damaging other vegetation nearby. Machinery such as a skid loader can also be used to destroy kudzu’s crowns and effectively kill them with minimal damage done to the soil. Skid loaders are great for larger-scale projects, but hand tools such as shovels or hoes should also be considered for smaller areas.

Herbicide

Herbicides such as triclopyr, glyphosate, or picloram can be used to target kudzu’s root system by applying them directly to cut stems. After taking other measures such as mowing, grazing, or burning, it becomes easier to apply the herbicide to the weakened plants. In cases of large-scale forestry infestations, soil-active herbicides have been found to be very effective.

Depending on how long the kudzu has been growing in an area, it is likely that follow-up treatments and monitoring will be necessary after the initial herbicidal treatment. This may involve up to 10 years of consistent supervision to ensure that the plant does not grow back or spread further. It is important to remain vigilant with regard to kudzu management, as this invasive species can have devastating effects on local ecosystems if left unchecked. As such, a long-term approach should be taken when trying to eliminate kudzu from an area for good.

Fungi

In 1998, the United States Agricultural Dept. started to investigate the use of Myrothecium verrucaria fungus as an organic way to eliminate kudzu. A spray made with M. verrucaria can function effectively in a variety of environments (including those with no dew) and has minimal effects on surrounding plants. Furthermore, the herbicide takes effect rapidly, with signs of damage appearing by the afternoon after treatment in the morning. Initially, the herbicide created toxic levels of byproducts. However, further research found that growing M. verrucaria in a liquid diet could reduce or stop this problem.

Kudzu Bugs

Kudzu bugs are known to suck the sap out of new kudzu growth, but they do not cause visible damage to the leaves. While they may slow down kudzu growth, they have not been shown to be able to eradicate it completely. There is some evidence, however, that the presence of kudzu bugs may reduce the competitive ability of kudzu, allowing other plants to grow through dense kudzu mats. It is unknown what the long-term effects of kudzu bugs on kudzu will be.

A Future Treatment

It usually requires a decade of consistent herbicide use to eliminate kudzu. The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is trying to develop a set of reliable management procedures that can significantly reduce the weed within one or two years. After owners get rid of kudzu, they can make use of their land again.

Researchers at ARS tested four different types of herbicides and a bioherbicide remedy at three sites that were overrun with kudzu. They conducted the treatments for two years. After one year, there was a high level of suppression on the small plots. Following the second year, nearly 100 percent of kudzu was killed. The organic treatment, which included applying a bioherbicide and then cutting down the kudzu, was successful in killing 91 percent of the kudzu after the first season and 95 percent after two full seasons.

Conclusion

Presently it takes up to ten years and a lot of heavy herbicide applications and mowing to eradicate kudzu. Scientists and researchers are working hard to find a more organic and quick solution that will work for large areas and homeowners. 

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