Ivy provides year-round greenery, which can make them attractive plants to have climbing up walls, but the plant can be problematic.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) warned that self-clinging climbers like Ivy may "penetrate cracks or joints" in buildings and lead to "structural damage".

"Sound masonry is unaffected," the RHS assured, but "the main problem is to keep growth away from gutters and paintwork".

Moreover, the expansive presence of Ivy may "harbour pests such as mice" that hide in the foliage.

The RHS added: "It has been suggested that vegetation attached to walls could lead to dampness resulting from slower drying conditions following rain.

"This may be plausible on a south-west facing wall where the rain is driven by prevailing winds."

Large climbers are risky to older properties, homes with shallow foundations, and those built on clay soils.

Garden building expert Sam Jenkinson at Tiger told HomeBuilding how he would remove the invasive and problematic plant.

"One gallon of white vinegar with a teaspoon of dish soap can get rid of ivy forever," Sam claimed. "Take care however as this can damage surrounding plants."

In agreement, fellow gardening enthusiast Jane Dobbs, of garden maintenance company Allan's Gardeners chimed in.

"Grab a spray bottle or a garden sprayer... remove any dead ivy after a couple of days and reapply the same solution," said Jane.

"Vinegar works best on the above-ground parts of ivy. After the foliage dies, remove as many roots as possible to prevent regrowth."

Sam added: "The most effective way to kill ivy is to sever the stem as close to soil level and then treat the stump with a root killer containing glyphosate.

"Then dig out any new shoots as soon as they appear to stop the plant from regrowing."

The RHS pointed out an area of consideration when embarking on ivy removal from your own home. "When undertaking work on ivy check that there are no birds nesting," the RHS said.

"It is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built."