How to Get Rid of Poison Ivy in Your Garden?

Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) contains an oily resin called urushiol. When this oil comes in contact with the skin, it sticks to the skin, causing contact dermatitis, leading to a red, itchy rash with blisters or bumps. This is the reason why many people fear the presence of this plant in their garden or yard. Poison ivy is especially risky in places where children play, as they won't be able to differentiate it from harmless plants. The other concern is that pets may carry the oily resin in their fur, which can later be transmitted to humans.

Therefore, it is important to identify these plants and kill them before they become a serious problem and take over the yard or garden. Here, in this article, we will talk about different ways to kill poison ivy.

How to Identify Poison Ivy in Your Garden?

Poison ivy can be identified by its trifoliate leaves, which means that they have a compound leaf made of three smaller leaflets. These leaflets are attached to the reddish petioles or leaf stalks that can be hairy if the plant is old. The leaflets are oblong and have smooth margins. To identify the plant, it is recommended to look for a notch that is sometimes found on one side of the leaflet.

If you know how the plant looks, it gets easier to avoid contact with the plant. However, for those who are not aware of the look of ivy, especially the children, it can be difficult for them to recognize. Therefore, it is better to remove the plant.

Methods to Kill Poison Ivy

Pulling

Pulling is one of the easiest ways to remove poison ivy because it is an effective and environment friendly way to kill poison ivy. But direct contact with the plant can lead to contact dermatitis. Therefore, you should take proper care before touching and disturbing the plant or its roots. Wear protective clothing with long sleeves, gloves, and goggles to prevent direct contact. You might need to use a shovel, hoe, or trowel to remove the entire plant, especially if it has larger roots.

Smothering

Smothering poison ivy is a way to block all the light and oxygen sources of the plant to prevent it from thriving. This method may not be that effective, as poison ivy can adapt even to shaded conditions and can survive when plants grow on top of it. Here are the steps to smother poison ivy:

• Cover the poison ivy with a big plastic tarp.

• Leave it covered and undisturbed for a week.

• Check if the plant is brown and dry. Now, simply pull the dry weed out with the root.

• If the plant is not dry yet, replace the tarp and leave it again for about a week.

• If there's still no change, consider using another method.

Boiling Water

Boiling water can be used as a natural herbicide to kill poison ivy. Simply pour the boiling water all over the plant's leaves and roots, making sure you cover everything. The intense heat will burn the plant's tissues and kill it. Be a little cautious while pouring boiling water to avoid burning yourself or damaging any other plants nearby.

Natural spray

Create a solution to spray on poison ivy by dissolving one cup of salt in a gallon of water. Then, add a tablespoon of dish soap to it. Though this method is effective to kill the plant temporarily, it might require future treatment to prevent it from growing back.

Another method is spraying distilled white vinegar directly on the plant. Similar to the earlier-mentioned spray, it requires multiple treatments to be effective. Be careful while using these sprays, as the neighbouring plants may get damaged if the spray makes contact with them.

Herbicides

Herbicides or conventional weed killers are a good option to kill poison ivy. 3-way herbicides that contain a combination of dicamba, mecoprop, and 2,4-D amine, or herbicides with products like triclopyr or glyphosate, are the fastest and most effective option.

Always read the labels before using these herbicides, as some may damage the lawn grass or nearby plants. A sunny, calm day with temperatures between 60°F and 85°F and no rain is the best time to spray poison ivy.

For smaller plants, spray the herbicide on their leaves while being careful not to spray it on nearby plants. For bigger plants, first cut mature vines 2 or 3 feet above the ground, then apply it to the freshly cut ends. After this, remember to wash your tools in soapy water, removing the grease. If you find new leaves or regrowth, spray again until the plant stops growing back.

Baking Soda

Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is a safe and natural way to kill poison ivy. Create a thick paste of baking soda and water to apply directly on the plant's leaves and stems. Since the baking soda is alkaline, it disturbs the plant's pH balance and kills it. Keep reapplying the paste until the plant is completely removed.

Essential Oils

Some essential oils like clove oil, peppermint oil, and tea tree oil can act like herbicides and kill poison ivy naturally. Dilute the oil with water and store it in a spray bottle. Now, directly apply it to the plant's leaves and stems. The powerful components will penetrate the plant's tissue and kill it. Keep repeating the process until the poison ivy is completely eliminated.

Disposing of Poison Ivy Safely

Dispose of the remains of poison ivy only in the trash. Do not burn or compost it, as the smoke carries urushiol and causes breathing irritation. Adding it to the compost is also dangerous, as this will mix urushiol in the compost.