Finding poison ivy growing amongst flowers, shrubs, and anywhere else in the yard is a nightmare. It’s difficult to know how to get rid of it, especially when it’s trying to take over. Let it go, and before long it will take over and wind itself around anything and everything in its path. The young leaves are shiny, and this is the best time to get rid of poison ivy before it has a chance to spread. It’s best to get rid of poison ivy when it’s first noticed since it grows at an alarming rate, and if care is taken it isn’t as difficult to get rid of as some may think.
Instead of using caustic chemicals such as kerosene and herbicides, consider the following natural ways to get rid of poison ivy. These natural methods to get rid of poison ivy in the yard, garden, and flowerbeds really do work, and they’re environmentally friendly. They’re far better than using costly chemicals that can harm wild and domestic animals and leech into ground water. Natural ways to get rid of poison ivy may not always be the fastest ways, but they’re definitely the safest.
Digging and Pulling it Out
Pulling out poison ivy and digging it up by the roots is fast, safe, and effective – if you protect your skin from coming in contact with oils that cause the itchy and irritating allergic reaction people typically experience. A pair of disposable gloves is all that is necessary when pulling out small sprigs of poison ivy coming up in the yard, garden, and flower beds, but larger vines must be dug out by the roots.
Protect your skin by taping pant legs and sleeves securely with duct tape, and never allow the vines and roots to come in contact with the skin. Dig up the vines with a weed popping tool and/or a shovel, and never burn the poison ivy. It can get into the lungs and cause very serious problems. Instead, move the vines to another location away from the home and property.
After digging up poison ivy, the tools must be properly cleaned with rubbing alcohol to get rid of traces of the irritating oil excreted by the plants. Also, use caution when removing the gloves, and turn them outside in to avoid touching any parts that came in contact with the plants. Immediately wash any clothes that came in contact with the poison ivy, and exercise caution when handling the clothing before washing. Ordinary laundry soap and warm water will get rid of any residue.
If you must dispose of poison ivy on your property, douse it with a mixture of soap and salt water. Combine approximately 3 pounds of salt with 1 gallon of water and about ¼ cup of liquid soap. Apply it with a garden sprayer. This natural solution also works to kill live poison ivy, but it takes time, and it should be carefully applied since it will kill all plant growth. Also, it may take a few separate applications, especially if it rains after the solution has been applied, but it does work.
Vinegar
Ordinary white vinegar is also a fantastic natural product for killing unwanted vegetation, and it works well to kill poison ivy if given plenty of time. Twice a week, apply straight white vinegar with a garden sprayer, and in time the plants will begin to die. This natural method to get rid of poison ivy takes more time, but it’s a much better option than using caustic chemicals. Keep in mind it will also kill any vegetation in comes in contact with in the yard, and care should be taken around other plants, grass, and shrubs.
