While ivy can look pretty on walls, fences and homes, it can cause significant damage over time, according to an expert.

1. Hand removing

Chris Ross, director of Direct Building Products, said: “Ivy can be a feature on your home all year round and could be creating cracks in your structure, allowing damp to leak through.

“Due to its strong attachment to walls, ivy can be a worry to some homeowners, as it may damage wall surfaces or block drains and gutters. With a survey and repot, alongside the physical removal of ivy, the price can cost around £600.

“In the worst case scenario of property damage on top, this whole process could potentially cost you £10,100. If you notice ivy growth in advance, try hand pulling and uprooting an area.

“Although this can be time-consuming, this method will result in the least amount of regrowth. In areas more thicker than others, try raking the ivy to uproot them, or, if you have ivy on your walls, cut the ivy at the stems to cause the plant to dry out.”

READ MORE: Common garden pests which can ‘totally destroy’ or ‘kill’ plants

Gena Lorainne, gardener at Fantastic Services, added: “The best way to remove ivy from a wall is to cut through the stem with a sharp saw and then dig out the root.

“Once the foliage has died, you can carefully remove the stuck-on stems with a wire brush.”

If the ivy covers the ground, Gena recommended digging it up with a mattock or fork and disposing of it elsewhere.

Alternatively, if the ground does not need to be planted, remove all of the top growth before covering it with weed-control fabric as well as some bark mulch 10cm to 15cm deep.

2. Weed killer

Gena added: “It can also be sprayed with a tough weed killer containing glyphosate, but be careful, as it will kill any plant it touches.

“Spray lightly so the weedkiller does not drip off the leaves, or even better, crush and damage the leaves before spraying so they can absorb more weedkiller. There may be a need for several applications.”

3. White vinegar

White vinegar can also help to kill the plant by spraying it directly onto the leaves, allowing the acid to work to kill the plant over a few days, according to Chris.

Gena recommended mixing 80 percent water with 20 percent white vinegar into a container and mixing it together.

Gardeners should ensure they don’t harm any other plants while spraying the ivy plants as white vinegar can harm nearby plants.

Britons should observe the results over a few days, removing any dead ivy and reapplying the solution as needed.

White vinegar contains acetic acid which can fight weeds and invasive plants, making it a great eco-friendly garden product.

It can be picked up in a number of retailers, including B&M and The Range for around £1 a bottle, which will last a long time when using it to kill invasive plants.