When it comes to
lawn weeds
, poison ivy is considered among the most challenging plants. It grows well in damp, shaded locations and forested regions, and if you notice this plant appearing in your yard, it’s best to eliminate it immediately. This difficult weed has a distinct pattern of three leaflets, usually featuring shiny green foliage with jagged edges. It gains its notoriety from secreting an oily substance known as urushiol—which, when it touches your skin, can cause an allergic response commonly seen as an irritating red rash along with welts or fluid-filled blisters, according to
WebMD
.
Whether it’s climbing your
backyard fence
or lying flat on the ground, if you see one poison ivy plant, you can expect many others nearby.
“Poison ivy can expand rapidly via its root system and by generating seeds that may travel with animals, water, or people,” notes landscaping specialist Gene Caballero, co-founder of
GreenPal
If not managed properly, it can rapidly spread throughout a region.
Fortunately, eliminating poison ivy permanently involves five very successful approaches you can attempt. However, no matter which technique you decide on, it’s crucial to focus on your safety and consistently use protection when handling poison ivy, such as gloves, long-sleeve clothing, pants, and footwear with enclosed toes, according to Caballero. Below is all the information you need regarding professionally recommended methods for removing poison ivy that prove most effective for every type of lawn and budget.
Manual Removal
Manually removing poison ivy is typically advised by experts, according to Caballero, yet if you choose to handle it yourself, it’s essential to use proper safety gear such as long-sleeve shirts, gloves, enclosed footwear, and trousers to prevent touching the plant or its harmful oils. If you have severe allergies, opt for shoes that can be easily cleaned later, such as rubber boots—avoid using regular sneakers that you might otherwise wear. (The oil may remain on those items for several months.) To enhance your precautions, the CDC recommends applying a…
barrier skin cream
like
Ivy X Barrier Gel
that contains
bentoquatam
.
Utilize garden equipment or a weed puller to remove all of the poison ivy’s roots, according to Caballero. Refrain from contacting your face or any area of your skin. Once finished, disinfect your tools using rubbing alcohol and water, then rinse your hands completely. Remove any clothing and footwear that has been exposed as quickly as possible (preferably outdoors, to prevent transferring any oils inside your house), and wash these items individually in high-temperature water.
You may place the removed poison ivy into plastic bags for disposal, yet Caballero suggests reaching out to your local waste management service or a lawn care professional to find out the correct method of disposal in your region, ensuring that workers handling the trash are not accidentally exposed to the plant.
Always avoid burning poison ivy, warns Caballero.
” Burning poison ivy produces urushiol in the air through smoke,” he explains. “Breathing in this smoke may result in serious breathing issues and pose major risks to your well-being.” Individuals with strong allergies to urushiol might experience a skin rash simply from exposure to the smoke. It’s best not to burn grass clippings either, but if you think you have poison ivy in your garden, that’s an additional reason to handle yard debris correctly.
Herbicides
Another efficient method for eliminating poison ivy, according to Caballero, is using herbicides. “Seek out herbicides designed for use on woody vegetation and adhere strictly to the directions provided,” he advises.
If you take this approach, spray the herbicide directly onto the leaves or cut the stalks and then treat the exposed area, he explains. If you have an extensive infestation of poison ivy or it’s particularly tough to eliminate, you might need to do multiple treatments to get rid of it entirely.
Smothering
An innovative method for eliminating poison ivy, as mentioned by Caballero, involves “covering it.” This technique generally proves most effective in areas where poison ivy has not spread extensively.
Place multiple layers of cardboard or newspapers over the impacted region, then add mulch or dirt, as advised by Caballero. “This method cuts off the plant’s access to light and stops it from thriving,” he explains.
Drawback: It could require multiple months before the poison ivy fully dies. You might inspect it periodically to determine if it’s declining (for example, turning brown and becoming brittle), yet ensure you remain safeguarded in case of exposure to poison ivy.
Goat Grazing
According to Caballero, allowing goats to graze is an environmentally sustainable way to eliminate poison ivy. There’s no need to keep a farm animal yourself; you can rent goats to eat away at unwanted vegetation in your yard until it disappears completely.
“Goats are recognized for eating poison ivy and can assist in managing its growth,” according to Caballero. Plus, there’s no need to be concerned about the goats experiencing itching:
Research
demonstrates that it is safe for goats to eat poison ivy, and the urushiol found in the plant does not pass into their milk.
A possible drawback: If your lawn is not enclosed, this approach might necessitate the use of temporary fences to keep the goats within the specific zone.
Hire a Professional
“If a poison ivy outbreak is large or hard to handle, it’s advisable to get assistance from a lawn care or pest management service,” Caballero notes.
Landscape professionals must possess the expertise and background necessary to properly eliminate poison ivy and stop it from coming back.
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