How to Get Rid of Poison Oak or Poison Ivy Naturally

Dig up poison ivy and poison oak seedlings as soon as you notice them.

Several natural control methods exist for getting rid of poison oak and poison ivy. They are both considered highly undesirable weeds because they bear leaves, roots, stems and flowers that contain urushiol, a resin that causes severe allergic reactions in many people. However, many gardeners don't want to use any type of toxic chemicals on their lawns or gardens. Knowing how to identify and control poison oak and poison ivy can prevent accidental contact with these plants.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic bag
• Long-sleeved shirt
• Long pants
• Cotton gardening gloves
• Disposable gloves
• Pruning tools

Instructions

1. Identify poison oak and poison ivy plants. Both plants bear glossy, green leaves that consist of three leaflets. Poison oak bears white flowers in the spring, while poison ivy features bunches of small, green flowers.

2. Dig up small poison ivy or poison oak seedlings. Moisten the soil, and then carefully remove the entire plant and all of its root system. Immediately place the seedling into a plastic bag, and throw it in the trash. Be careful not to let the plant touch your bare skin. Wear long sleeves, long pants and cotton gloves over disposable gloves. Wash all of your clothing as soon as you finish.

3. Prune larger poison oak and poison ivy plants with pruning tools. Repeatedly pruning these plants down to the ground eventually starves their root system and kills the plant. Wear protective clothing when you prune, and immediately clean your pruning tools to avoid accidental contact with the urushiol resin.

4. Remove poison ivy and poison oak vines growing on trees. Wearing your protective clothing, carefully sever the vine at the base of the plant, and gently pull it away from the tree. Cut several notches out of the remaining stem to lessen the chance that the plant heals. Repeat these steps if the stem resprouts.

5. Use animals to control poison oak and poison ivy. According to the University of California's Integrated Pest Management Program, goats and sheep can eat poison ivy, so tether them in affected areas of your landscape. In addition, horses and deer like eating young poison oak plants. Check your local ordinances before using animals to naturally get rid of these plants. Many towns and cities have livestock and wildlife laws.

Tips & Warnings

• Maintaining a healthy layer of ground cover plants can prevent poison ivy or poison oak from becoming established.

• If you come into contact with these plants, reduce your risk of skin irritation by pouring rubbing alcohol onto the affected area, and then rinsing it with cold water.

• Don't burn poison ivy or poison oak because it releases urushiol into the air and can cause severe respiratory irritation in people who breathe in the smoke.

• Don't plow, mow or bulldoze these plants because they leave behind rhizomes that quickly resprout.

References

• Missouri Botanical Garden: Western Poison Oak
• Missouri Botanical Garden: Poison Ivy
• University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Poison Ivy: What to Do Next; Karen Krakower Kaplan, et al.; August 2007
• University of California's Integrated Pest Management Program; Poison Oak; July 2009

Resources

• Michigan State University Extension; Poison Ivy Control; Jim Kells; January 2001
• Ohio State University Extension; Poison Ivy Identification and Control; Jane C. Martin, et al.