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English ivy is native in the UK and may not be as invasive as it is in other countries, but it can still exhibit invasive behaviour. In areas with mild temperatures and consistent moisture, it tends to be more invasive. The type of soil also plays a role, with nutrient-rich soils supporting rapid spread. Plus, English ivy's shade tolerance allows it to thrive in areas with limited sunlight, outcompeting other plants.

When English ivy is planted in gardens, it competes with plants for essential resources like sunlight, water, and nutrients, often resulting in the weakening or death of desirable garden plants. Its dense foliage provides a haven for pests like rodents and insects, thereby attracting unwanted wildlife to your property. Also, as the plant supports itself with aerial roots, when these penetrate cracks or joints in walls and properties, they may cause structural damage. However, there is a way to remove this invasive plant, and it doesn't need to involve toxic chemicals.

John Clifford, gardening and landscaping expert at Westminster Stone, said, "One of the most well-known ways to naturally remove ivy is by using white vinegar. This will kill the ivy in a couple of days and is pretty simple in terms of how to create the mixture."

All you need to do is pour a four-to-one part mixture of water and white vinegar into a spray bottle. You need to spray this concoction over as much of the ivy as you can.

Although you won't have to handle the ivy at this stage, it's wise to put on gloves to prevent any irritation.

Naturally, you need to be cautious about where you apply the spray. While white vinegar is effective at eliminating ivy, it can also harm surrounding plants. Therefore, aim your sprays carefully and avoid any other greenery in your garden.

After you've sprayed the leaves, stems, and as much of the ivy as possible (while steering clear of the plant's base and the soil), allow the vinegar to do its job. Most professionals recommend waiting about five days.

John told Ideal Home that if it rains, you will need to reapply the mixture and wait a couple more days.

As time passes, you will notice changes in the ivy's appearance. What was once a robust, invasive, self-adhesive plant will start to turn brown and wilt. This will indicate that the natural ivy killer has been effective.

Next, your task is to clear away as much of the dead ivy from your fence as possible. In some instances, the dead branches and leaves may be so fragile that they fall off with just a light touch, but generally, you will need to use pruning shears to remove them.

At this stage, concentrate on trimming the ivy down to just a few inches above the ground. However, you need to do so with caution, as "ivy does cling very tightly to what it's climbing up," warned gardening expert and founder of Hopes Grove Nurseries Morris Hankinson.

Ivy is among the toughest plants you can find and has the ability to regrow from just a tiny piece of a healthy plant. Therefore, when you aim to eliminate ivy from a fence, it's crucial to remove the roots.

Morris instructed, "Once everything has been removed, dig up the root, which can be big, heavy, and a good workout! You'll need a decent spade and some patience."

Since ivy is highly invasive, the last thing you want is to add it to your compost, where it could sprout again. Instead, it's important to dispose of the debris correctly.

Ideally, you should place the root ball and branches on a weed-proof membrane under the sun to ensure they dry out completely before throwing them away in your general waste bin.

If you're concerned that the root ball might sprout again, a quick spray with the water and white vinegar solution would be helpful. However, if you lack the space to let it dry, you can simply toss it directly into your general waste bin.