It sounds like the plot of a sci-fi horror flick.

Vines -- such as poison ivy and the dreaded kudzu -- are growing stronger, faster and, in some cases, more poisonous as they mercilessly swallow whatever lies in their path. Humans use everything -- pruning shears, chain saws, chemicals from Monsanto -- to kill them. And still, they. Just. Won't. Die.

But it's not sci-fi. This scenario is playing out in backyards and forests everywhere: Vines are growing stronger, tougher and more destructive. According to a Washington Post article, scientists attribute their incredible vigor to the increased levels of carbon dioxide in the air. The new "hyper vines" (their term, not mine) thrive on the greenhouse gases and their spread has increased tenfold in the past decade. As the earth heats up, vines have started to strangle trees, air conditioners, houses and probably a few children. At least, they aren't carnivorous ... yet.

I learned more about this menace from a friend who just moved back from Atlanta. Each day, on his way to and from work, he'd watch some kudzu race through a field (they grow a foot per day) towards an abandoned car. Then one day, the car was gone. The only evidence of its existence was a mound of tangled foliage.

I have no love for vines. Last year, I battled a relatively mellow Boston Ivy, fighting it with repeated stabbings from a shovel and a lot of Round-Up (I know, I know, but it was eating my house.) Ultimately, I called in professionals to cut it off, pour cement over the roots and haul the monsterous, snaky heap far, far away.

But, after I heard about the car-eating kudzu and read the WaPo article, I checked again. Sure enough, a few tightly coiled tendrils have started to push their way up through the rocks and concrete seams.

And so the sequel begins....