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

Vines -- such as poison ivy [1] and the dreaded kudzu [2] -- are growing stronger, faster and, in some cases, more poisonous [2] as they mercilessly swallow whatever lies in their path. Humans use everything -- pruning shears, chain saws, chemicals from Monsanto [2] -- 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 [3], scientists attribute their incredible vigor to the increased levels of carbon dioxide [3] in the air. The new "hyper vines" (their term, not mine) thrive on the greenhouse gases [3] 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 [4] 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 [5], fighting it with repeated stabbings from a shovel and a lot of Round-Up [6] (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 [7] 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....