Find solution
What's the fastest way to get rid of poison ivy?

Whats the best way to get rid of poison ivy?

  • Besides getting a professional landscaper, what can be done to make sure they never grow again.

  • Answer:

    One organic method used to get rid of poison ivy is to pull it out by the roots. The roots must be disposed of; do not burn! Inhaling fumes from burning poison ivy causes far greater health problems than just the rash caused by skin contact. Another natural method is to get rid of poison ivy by smothering it. Smothering entails cutting it back close to the ground, then placing newspapers, cardboard, old carpeting, tarps, mulch or some other covering on top of it. However, be aware that, even after you kill poison ivy plants, they remain toxic. So be careful in disposing of the roots of the dead vines after pulling back the smothering agent (even if you've waited for years). Herbicides can also be used to get rid of poison ivy. Roundup spray is a popular glyphosate-based herbicide used to get rid of poison ivy. Another widely-available herbicide is Ortho Brush-B-Gon, which is triclopyr-based. These products will kill a great variety of woody plants, making them effective not only in getting rid of poison ivy, but also another nuisance vine: oriental bittersweet. But they will kill many other plants, too, so don't use them near specimens you wish to keep.

mira a at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

Was this solution helpful to you?

Other answers

You do have to dig it out. Cutting it off won't do the trick and even digging it out might not remove all the roots and it will grow back. Certain trees (live oaks) are notarious for having these poisionous ivys growing at their base. Also, you can develop a reaction to these poisions even if you never have in the past. I have pulled this stuff out off and on for years with no reaction. But, take it from someone who removed poison ivy and poison oak and ended up with a terrible rash on my face and neck 2 weeks before my wedding! It is a miserable itchy rash. Like Choqs mentioned, gloves are a must! Also make sure your body is fully clothed (don't wear shorts, tee shirts, etc) as any part of your body exposed could accidentally come in contact with the oily liquid from the plant as you dig it up (that is the poison stuff). What I failed to do was think about touching my face and neck with my gloved hands, as I was working out in the heat and wiping away sweat or scratching an itch. If you do get the rash (which unfortunately - or fortunately however you look at it) it usually won't present itself for 24 or more hours. By then you have probably touched all kinds of places. If you do get the rash, talk to your pharmacist as they have some pretty good recommendations as after the fact. Be very careful where you put the removed ivy . . a trash bag that you can tie off is probably best. As long as the oil of the plant is present, it is contagious. That is why you wash your clothes separately and in very hot water .. or just throw them away. Good Luck!

Cathy D

How much do you have? If its a patch and this is likely, spray it carefully with Roundup or Wipeout herbicide. Be very care full not to let the spray drift onto vegetation you want to keep. Wait a couple weeks to see if another application is needed and where. Results are quite fast and very effective. It may take another season to get seeds that are already sitting in the soil.

Dizzy

Once you dig it up, DON'T burn them! If you burn them, the chemical that cause irritation can get into your lung. Also, don't mix your clothes that you wear with other laundries.

White Polar Bear

Put on gloves and dig them up by the root. You won't get rid of them anyother way and it is going to take multiple ripping techniques, you can kill them.

Choqs

Related Q & A:

Just Added Q & A:

Find solution

For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.

  • Got an issue and looking for advice?

  • Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.

  • Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.

Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.