Can you kill poison ivy?

Question

Is there anyway to get rid of poison ivy in my backyard?

Answer 1

roundup

Household mixtures to kill poison ivy plants

Here is one I found. Mix 3 pounds salt with 1 Gallon soapy water; spray the solution on the plant's leaves and stems. I have also used a combination of roundup and letting nature choke the plant (ie. wild rose) myself.

--Editor (July/27/1999)

I'm an environmentally sensitive landscaper and landscape designer with a good deal of experience in eliminating poison ivy from the landscape. And, little as I like the prospect of using an herbicide, out of considerations both for my personal health and for the environment, the only way I've found to get rid of substantial colonies of poison ivy is by the careful and responsible use of herbicide.

You can remove a single young plant or two by grasping it through a plastic garbage bag and pulling it up root and all. Turn the bag inside-out over the plant, and it's done. (You may have some growth return from broken roots, but can get rid of them in the same way.)

Glyphosate--the active ingredient in Roundup and Rodeo--is sometimes recommended for killing poison ivy. Because its active ingredient breaks down quickly, I initially tried to use Round-up, but found that plants could recover from as many as six applications over two years. Others with whom I've compared notes also describe similar experiences. I've only used the product as sold, with glyphosate.

The only thing that seems to work, in my experience, is a herbicide containing triclopyr. I've used Ortho Brush-b-Gon with a great deal of success. If I'm careful, I find I can spot-treat individual plants without doing much damage to what's growing around them. For greater accuracy, instead of spraying you can paint the herbicide directly on the leaves.

I hate to sound like a spokesperson for Monsanto. This company has many sins to answer for. And, as I've said above, I'm reluctant to use herbicides. But this product really does the job.

Use it with respect. Read the label and follow the directions religiously. Wait for a day when the winds are still. Don't use it in or within ten feet of a wetland. Use rubber gloves, and be careful not to breathe the spray. Wash up thoroughly afterwards, and put your clothes in the wash right away.

Answer 2

Yes.  You can spray it with straight vinegar.  Or, you can use Roundup.  Know that whatever other plants it may be touching, including underground at the roots, could also absorb these.  Do not burn the ivy with a torch or in a fire, as the oils from the plant become air born and you'll get it, plus the wind can carry them across town and other people can get it, too.  Good luck, and hope you don't need an ocean of Calamine lotion!

Answer 3

I have used a 6 cup pot of boiling water, with three cups of white vinegar, and one cup of salt.  This has to be boiling hot and poured directly on top of the plant to kill it.

If you have a lot in one spot - this will take  gallons of vinegar - but I know it really works.

If it grows back repeat the boiling vinegar/water mixture again.

Good luck.  

Answer 4

get a gun......

Answer 5

no but it can kill you

Answer 6

not that i know of unless we talking about characters on batman

Answer 7

I use Ortho-Be-Gon Poison Ivy killer.  I have also used gasoline,  but since the P.I. was in my Lilac,  that wouldn't work.  However,  it did kill off some of the Lilac.  I no longer have P.I. in my Lilac.  

Good Luck removing it!!!

Answer 8

Round up is the best, you'll get better result with a fall application. If you spray it any other time the leaves die but the stems don't and it will only come back.

Answer 9

YEs

Answer 10

round up works wonders