How to Kill Poison Ivy Forever

Wash off all tools and clothing used when removing the plant.

According Virginia Polytechnic Institute, poison ivy is a woody vine that infests yards, pastures and hay fields. Because of poison ivy's ability to cause allergenic dermatitis, it is in the gardener's interest to eradicate it from the landscape forever. Poison oak is often misidentified as poison ivy. As it is important to correctly identify poison ivy in the yard for choosing herbicide, look for plants that have three dark green leaflets rather than poison oak's five muted green leaflets.

Things You'll Need

• Garden hose
• Boots
• Pants
• Long-sleeved shirt
• Goggles
• Gloves
• Shovel
• Garbage bag
• Grass
• Vines
• Plants
• Herbicide

Instructions

1. Water the soil of the poison ivy. Moist soil will allow you to dig or hand-pull the plant.

2. Put on boots, pants, a long-sleeved shirt, goggles and gloves. Oils secrete from poison ivy when the plant has been cut and can cause dermatitis in any part of your body.

3. Press a spade three inches from the base of the plant and push to uproot poison ivy from underneath. Place the root system of the plant in a garbage bag. Pull the vine from whatever vegetation or structure it may be growing on. If you yank the plant from a raised area, make sure it does not fall down and come into contact with your head.

4. Sift through the soil looking for poison ivy roots. Water the area to help you pull out any stubborn roots. Close the garbage bag and throw it away. Do not burn poison ivy, because the oils can get into your lungs and cause a harmful reaction.

5. Plant in the poison ivy area so other vegetation can compete with any poison ivy seeds that germinate. You can plant grass, clover, vines or ornamental plants.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a herbicide that contains triclopyr in areas where there is no other vegetation such as driveways or patios.

• Avoid using a weed eater to remove poison ivy, because you will wind up getting the sap that causes dermatitis all over your clothes and skin.

References

• Virginia Tech: Poison Ivy
• Oklahoma State Police Department: Poison Ivy
• Marrick: Effective Poison Ivy Removal