The Do’s and Don’ts of Getting Rid of Poison Ivy in Your Backyard
One of the plants that you would never want to discover in your yard is poison ivy. If you brush against it by chance, you’ll have an itchy, blistering rash for days or even weeks. You know how important it is to keep your space poison ivy free if you’ve ever had to fight this sneaky plant. Let’s talk about the right and wrong ways to deal with this tough plant before you put on gloves and start pulling it out.
The Right Way to Get Rid of Poison Ivy
1. Make Sure It’s Actually Poison Ivy
Firstly, can you confirm that this is indeed poison ivy? This plant is famous for its “leaves of three” rule, but it can also take the form of a ground cover or a climbing vine. In the summer, the leaves are shiny green, but in the fall, they can turn red, yellow, or orange. If you see small white berries in late summer, that’s another sign you’ve found poison ivy.
2. Gear Up Before Touching It
Poison ivy produces an oil called urushiol, which is what causes that awful rash. To avoid exposure, wear long sleeves, pants, heavy-duty gloves, and even goggles or a mask if you’re dealing with a large area. Afterwards, it’s advisable to wash your clothes separately to ensure safety.
3. Pull It Out by the Roots
The best way to make sure poison ivy doesn’t come back is to remove it completely, roots and all. Use a shovel or garden fork to dig around the plant, grab the base, and carefully pull it out. Bag it up in plastic and toss it in the trash—do not compost it!
4. Try Natural or Chemical Solutions
If extracting it is not feasible, you can employ alternative techniques to eradicate it. Over time, pouring boiling water over the roots can effectively kill it. Vinegar or a salt-and-water mixture can also help dry it out. For stubborn poison ivy, herbicides with glyphosate or triclopyr work well—just be sure to follow the label instructions carefully.
5. Wash Up Fast If You Touch It
The best way to get rid of poison ivy on skin is to wash the area immediately—preferably within 30 minutes. Use soap and cold water, rubbing alcohol, or a poison ivy cleanser to break down the oil. If a rash starts forming, calamine lotion or an oatmeal bath can help soothe the itch.
What NOT to Do When Removing Poison Ivy?
1. Don’t Burn It
Burning poison ivy releases urushiol into the air, which can cause serious respiratory issues if inhaled. Always bag it up and throw it away instead.
2. Don’t Mow or Weed Whack It
Running a mower or weed whacker over poison ivy can scatter the oil into the air and onto your skin, clothes, and tools. Instead, stick to pulling or targeted treatments.
3. Don’t Assume It’s Gone After One Try
Poison ivy is persistent. Even a small leftover root can sprout new growth. Monitor the area and reapply treatments as necessary.
4. Don’t Let Your Pets Spread It
Your furry friends won’t get a rash from poison ivy, but they can carry the oil on their fur and transfer it to you. If they’ve been running through an area with poison ivy, give them a bath with pet-friendly soap before they snuggle up with you.
5. Don’t Forget to Clean Everything
Urushiol oil sticks to just about anything—tools, shoes, clothing, even car seats. Wash everything thoroughly after working near poison ivy to avoid any surprise rashes later.
How to Keep Poison Ivy from Coming Back?
Once you’ve successfully removed poison ivy, you’ll want to make sure it stays gone. Mulching heavily, planting dense ground cover, and regularly inspecting your yard for new sprouts can help keep it from returning. If poison ivy is a constant battle in your area, you might even consider bringing in some goats—yep, they love eating poison ivy and can help clear it out naturally!
What to Do If Your Reaction Is Very Bad?
You might avoid poison ivy at all costs, but sometimes you will still touch it and have a bad response. Check with a doctor right away if the rash covers a lot of skin, is near your eyes or mouth, or makes it hard for you to breathe after being exposed.
People who have severe reactions may need to use steroid creams or pills to reduce pain. It’s better to use antihistamines or cooling lotions to ease the pain instead of scratching, which can lead to an illness. If you have ever had an allergic response, you should always be careful around poison ivy.
Final Thoughts
Despite the seriousness of poison ivy, you can successfully reclaim your yard with the appropriate approach. Whether you prefer to pull it out by the roots, use natural solutions, or go with herbicides, the key is to be thorough and careful. And if you do come into contact with it, acting fast can save you from an itchy, uncomfortable ordeal. Stay diligent, take precautions, and soon enough, you’ll have a poison ivy-free yard to enjoy!
- by Matt Watts
