How to Kill Poison Ivy or Oak
The three leaflets of the poison oak shrub with their small, white-green flowers can be a menace in your yard that should be eradicated. Poison ivy, which usually grows as a vine on the ground or on tree trunks, also contains a poisonous oil that seriously irritates the skin. However, trying to get rid of these poisonous plants incorrectly actually can send you to the hospital. Just a few steps can help you to kill poison ivy or poison oak safely. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Plastic gloves
- Cotton gloves
- Washable clothing
- Washable shoes
- Shovel
- Pick
- Trash bag
- Shears
- Paintbrush
- Plastic bottle with spout cap
- Herbicide
Instructions
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1
Put on a pair of plastic gloves covered by washable cotton gloves before working with poison ivy or poison oak. Wear clothing and shoes you can wash after handling poison ivy or poison oak, as well.
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2
Remove the entire poison oak or poison ivy plant, including the roots, using a pick or shovel. Do this when the soil is moist in the late fall or early spring. Place the plant in an area that is out of the way until you can seal it up in a trash bag and throw it away.
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3
Cut poison oak or poison ivy stems about 1 or 2 inches above the soil surface, and place a stump application on the cut stems. This is particularly helpful if your ground's soil is too hard to remove the plant completely. Paint the herbicide onto the stems using a paintbrush, or use a plastic bottle with a spout cap to apply the herbicide to the stumps. Allow the chemical to run to the base of the stems. The herbicide should contain ingredients such as glyphosate or triclopyr.
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4
Apply an herbicide spray to the leaves of the poison oak or poison ivy plant, particularly any re-growth that occurs from the stems you cut. Follow the manufacturer's instructions. Apply glyphosate, which is one of the most effective chemicals to use on poison oak or poison ivy, late in the growth cycle but before leaves begin to lose their green hue. Apply triclopyr earlier in the growing season when the plants are growing quickly during the spring and summer. Make sure the leaves are wet after the application but not so wet that the herbicide begins to run off the plant.
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Watch the areas you treated for at least one year. Apply more herbicide as necessary, particularly to fully expanded sprouting leaves.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not burn poison oak or poison ivy, as breathing in the smoke produced can cause lung irritation.
Do not use a weed eater to kill poison ivy or poison oak so as to avoid spraying your legs with the poisonous plants.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
