Whilst ivy doesn’t directly harm other plants or trees, it does need to be controlled if you’re planning on keeping it in your garden.

Also known as Hedera helix, ivy’s aerial roots allow it to attach to tree trunks, walls or the ground.

Its dense, evergreen leaves provide year-round hiding, roosting and hibernating for various insects, birds and small mammals.

However, it can quickly take over the garden if not controlled, which can cause damage.

Luckily, there are ways to get rid of the fast-growing plant, including using white vinegar, according to a gardening expert.

Gena Lorraine, gardener at Fantastic Services, said: “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.

“If it covers the ground, dig it up with a mattock or fork and dispose of it elsewhere.

“Alternatively, if the ground does not need to be planted, remove all the top growth, cover it with weed-control fabric, and add some bark mulch 10 to 15cm deep.

“It can also be sprayed with a tough weed killer containing glyphosate, but be careful; it will kill anything 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 weed killer.”

There may be a need for several applications, so reassess the situation after a few days.

If you’re looking for something more natural and homemade, white vinegar is a great staple to use when killing weeds and ivy.

The expert recommended making up a mixture of 80 percent water and 20 percent white vinegar and placing it into a container.

The gardening pro said: “Ensure that you don’t harm any other plants while spraying the ivy plants.

“Observe the results are a few days. Remove any dead ivy and reapply the same solution as needed.”

White vinegar can be picked up from supermarkets such as Tesco for as little as 30p a bottle, meaning this hack to banish ivy is super affordable.

The acetic acid content in the ingredient helps to dry out invasive plants and weeds without being too chemically for the garden or user.