However, try these methods to get rid of poison ivy so you and your family can stay itch-free.
What Is Urushiol?
Identify poison ivy plants using the famous rhyme “leaves of three, let it be.”
dhughes9/gettyimages
This plant will have three leaflets on each stem.
The slightly serrated leaves can be smooth or jagged, and they change color by season.
Eastern poison ivy has a vining growth habit, while Western poison ivy grows in a shrub form.
Poison Ivy PhotoDavid Beaulieu
Flowers can be yellow or green, and the berries are small and white.
How to Remove Poison Ivy Safely
Always wear protective clothing when working around poison ivy.
Dig Out Poison Ivy
Dig rather than pull at the fibrous roots for removal.
It is easy to see how kids might get into poison ivy as you see these twins walking around in the background of these trees that have poison ivy growing all around them.Photo (c) 2007 Vincent Iannelli, MD licensed to About.com, Inc.
Clean any tools used with isopropyl alcohol to remove urushiol residue.
Starving the plant of air and light is an effective removal method.
Leave in position for six to eight weeks.
The Spruce / Almar Creative
Even when the plants are brown and appear dead, wear protective gloves and clothing while pulling the roots.
Discard the pulled roots appropriately in a heavy, sealed garbage bag.
Dissolve three pounds of salt in a gallon of water and add 1/4 cup of liquid dish soap.
Treehugger / Kaitlyn Kilpatrick
Fill a garden sprayer with the solution and spray the leaves thoroughly.
you’re free to repeat this continually until dieback occurs.
Fill a garden garden sprayer with undiluted white vinegar and spray the leaves and crown of the plants.
Repeatedly boiling water, or reboiling it, concentrates dissolved minerals, such as nitrates, fluoride and arsenicRyersonClark / Getty Images
Be careful not to overspray on the surrounding soil.
you’ve got the option to repeat this every few days until full dieback occurs.
DIY sprays still contain ingredients that can adversely affect surrounding plants.
Picture of poison ivy flower buds.David Beaulieu
This method requires several applications but eventually, you will see wilting and dieback.
First, fill a tea kettle or another heat-proof vessel that has a spout with boiling water.
Pour it over the crown of the poison ivy plant.
The Spruce / Margot Cavin
Repeat if necessary every few days until there’s dieback.
Use asnipper or hand prunerto cut back the vines to the crown.
Watch for any new growth and cut it back each time it appears.
The Spruce / Steven Merkel
Don’t forget to disinfect your tools after each cutting.
The leaves and vines might be eaten, but the roots will remain to grow back yearly.
Here are some dos and don’ts.
Bleach can absorb the plant’s oils but some say it won’t work once it’s dried.
Additionally,bleach can have a detrimental effectif it’s absorbed into your soil.
It may be best to use other non-toxic methods, especially if you have a garden nearby.
Everything To Know About Poison Ivy.
Outsmarting Poison Ivy and Other Poisonous Plants.U.S.
Food and Drug Administration.
Poison Ivy.Clemson University Cooperative Extension.
