What is the best way to kill poison ivy plants?

Answer 1

You can cut the vines with a long blade (like a machete), a shovel, or, you can use a weed killer like "Round Up".

I advise against burning it, as the smoke can transfer the oil on the plant... and if it gets in someone's eyes, it can be a real pain. (This happened once to my wife... she went home for a visit, and a neighbor was burning a pile of poison ivy, he had cut and piled.... and simply walking thru the smoke, was enough for her to have an allergic reaction)

I use "Round Up" myself, and it is a very effective weed/grass killer. I have a rather large yard, so I buy it by the gallon, that comes with an adjustable sprayer. I will usually go thru a gallon, each summer, as I spay for weeds around the buildings, in the drive, etc. (you can also buy it in concentrated bottles, so you can mix it, to restock the sprayer). Simply spray it on the leaves of the plant, at least an hour or two, before it rains.... if it rains too soon after you spray it, it will wash it off of the leaves.. so, a dry day is the best. You will notice the plant dying within a couple of days.

IF you should happen to 'handle' poison ivy, (or some of the other 'poison' plants, like poison oak, sumac, etc).... the stuff that makes your skin break out in a rash, and itch like crazy, is the oil on the plant. Avoid scratching it... as you can transfer the oil to other parts of your body. You want to wash your skin off with a cleanser that removes oil, as soon as possible.... Dawn liquid dish soap is good for this. And, if you have gotten a rash from being in contact with these plants, then you want to use something with hydrocortizone in it, for itch relief... there are also several products available specifically for poison ivy rashes. You can find these near the first aid section of most pharmacies.

The "Round Up" brand weed killer I mentioned, can be found at most hardware, building supply, or department stores.

Be safe!

Answer 2

I use a commercial weed killer made specifically for poison ivy. Then, after the plants have died off, you need to pull the roots out of the ground. Protect yourself while doing this and DO NOT attempt to burn any of the leaves or roots

Answer 3

I hope you know that using fire to kill poison ivy is not a good idea. The smoke from burning poison ivy will drift and give you the poison as well as touching it. Use a good herbacide to kill it.

Answer 4

Using harsh chemicals will prevent future plant growth unless you roll around in the poison ivy prior to the application of any chemical.

Answer 5

Actually the best and cheapest is to use a mixture of vinegar and liquid laundry soap and spray liberally over entire plant, carefull not to get too close!!

Answer 6

NEVER burn poison ivy, oak or sumac. The smoke carries the sap and can cause serious lung and skin reactions.

Answer 7

Roundup Brush Killer

Answer 8

Ortho puts out a spray just for that

Answer 9

Chlorine, bleach

Answer 10

As far away from it as possible.