Comments on lonicera japonica ESA
compiled by
Wildland Invasive Species Team

Marc Imlay (ialm@erols.com, 18 February 2002) has a comment on manual removal: The ESA says: 
Hand-pulling is a time-consuming procedure with limited effectiveness, as the entire plant (roots and shoots) must be removed. Pulling may be a practical method to remove small patches of seedlings.

Hand pulling is highly effective over hundreds of acres in our experience. We pull out Japanese honeysuckle by the roots in winter wherever we see it up in the trees, aim the roots upward and tie them in place.  The absence of light energy causes the trailing vines to decline precipitously next year. Thus we control 90% of the honeysuckle with 10% of the effort and minimal soil disturbance. We do not pull it out of the trees and watch for native vines (moonseed, trumpet vine, native grape etc.). This method greatly reduces spraying requirements. Use Roundup (glyphosate) or triclopyr in winter or late fall to avoid natives.