How to Kill a Poison Ivy Plant

Poison ivy contains a toxic oil called urushiol, which causes many people suffer severe allergic reactions. The plants grow as a single-stemmed shrub or as a low-ground vine that can climb objects as it spreads. Identifying poison ivy is the first step in your arsenal to eradicate it. Three distinguished shiny leaves (resembling elm or ash tree leaves) grow from each leaf stem. Spread by unseen seedlings, poison ivy can grow in a variety of woodland environments including your backyard. Great care should be taken when getting rid of poison ivy.

Things You'll Need

• Protective clothing; Hat Goggles Latex gloves Garden gloves Long pants Long sleeves Long socks Face mask/breathing mask Shovel Long handled shears Lawn bags (plastic) Tarp Rocks or bricks Herbicide

Instructions

How to Kill a Poison Ivy Plant

1. Put on protective clothing, and keep the clothing separated from the house until the procedure is complete. Killing poison ivy may take several days, so be careful how you handle the clothing when taking it off and dressing again. Use latex gloves under garden gloves for extra protection. Put the latex gloves on before redressing into the protective clothes, and always use a new face/breathing mask each time you attempt the project.

2. Spray the poison ivy with an herbicide to prevent its growth. Follow the directions on the herbicide to successfully stop the plant from growing or spreading.

3. Cut the foliage of the poison ivy using long-handled shears. Rinse the shears with soap and water before reusing.

4. Cover the remaining above ground stems with a tarp for a few days. Use rocks or bricks to weigh down the tarp so it won't blow away.

5. Use the shovel to get to the rooting system of the poison ivy. Be careful handling dead poison ivy because it still contains the toxin urushiol and will still cause reactions.

6. Never touch any exposed parts of your face with your gloved hands after contacting poison ivy.

7. Use a lawn bag by placing your arm and hand into it and then grabbing the leaves, stems and roots of the poison ivy. Pull the ivy into the bag and turn it inside out so you're not actually touching any part of the plant with your gloved hands.

8. Seal the bags properly and immediately. Do not throw poison ivy into a compost pile, do not leave it in uncovered or exposed garbage containers and never burn poison ivy. Urushiol will be released from the burning poison ivy and will cause internal reactions in the mouth, throat and lungs.

9. Do not try to kill or get rid of poison ivy on a windy day. Seedlings can spread, herbicide can spray erratically and urushiol oil can become airborne.

10. Throw away the protective clothing when the procedure is complete, and treat the clothing as if it were poison ivy itself. Washing the clothes in a washing machine or wash tub may be ineffective and contaminate other laundry. Clean any tools used with hot soapy water before replacing them in the storage shed or garage.