Killing Poison Ivy

Discussion in 'The Green Patch' started by RightHand, Jun 8, 2016.


  1. RightHand

    RightHand Been There, Done That RIP 4/15/21 Moderator Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    I dislike adding chemicals to my environment so I try to use whatever alternatives I can find that will give me a desired result. I have a proliferation of poison ivy vines and one of the methods I have used to kill those plants is as follows:

    Vinegar, salt and dish soap
    Start with a gallon of white vinegar. The “average” vinegar is 5% acidic and will work just fine, but if you can find one that’s 10% or 20% your mixture will be more potent. Pour the vinegar into a pot and heat it over the stove. Add 1 cup of salt and stir until the salt dissolves. Let it cool, then add 2 tablespoons of liquid dish soap.

    Vinegar, when diluted with a gallon of water makes a good fertilizer for acid-loving plants like azaleas, rhododendrons and blueberries. When mixed full strength with salt, it works very much like Round-Up. The dish soap helps the mixture to stick to the leaves.

    Pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Set the sprayer to stream (not mist) to for better control. Be careful where you spray because it will damage any leaf that it hits.

    Be Patient
    Spraying your plants with a systemic herbicide or the vinegar mixture will not work overnight. After its absorbed into the leaves it takes time before it destroys the root system. Give it 2 weeks, then spray the plant again if necessary. It may take more than one application to do the job. Poison ivy is a tough plant with strong roots.
     
  2. Oltymer

    Oltymer Monkey++

    That works well for me for the poison ivy and oak I have growing around here. I always try to spray when I know it's not going to rain for a few days as that tends to wash the solution off the leaves. Lots of sunshine and heat will combine to shrivel up the biggest leaves on down to the small ones. It seems to work as well as Roundup but without all the negative chemical side effects.
     
  3. UncleMorgan

    UncleMorgan I like peeling bananas and (occasionally) people.

    You can compost dead poison ivy, but handle it as if it was still alive, and never burn it.
    The poison can be carried by smoke.
     
  4. RightHand

    RightHand Been There, Done That RIP 4/15/21 Moderator Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    My dad ended up in the hospital one from breathing the smoke of burning poison ivy. I'm very allergic so I don'd even compost it. I put it in plastic bags and bring it to the dump...errrrr..... recycling center
     
  5. VisuTrac

    VisuTrac Ваша мать носит военные ботинки Site Supporter+++

    one word .. goats.
     
    RightHand likes this.
  6. RightHand

    RightHand Been There, Done That RIP 4/15/21 Moderator Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    Goats are pretty much immune to the toxin in poison ivy. I'd love to get a few again. They make great companions as well. I think I'll call my next one NotADog
     
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  7. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Notta for short? Make sure it's a billy or it might attract some, ah, disreputable immigrants of the undocumented type.
     
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  8. Wild Trapper

    Wild Trapper Pirate Biker

    I had milk goats that would not eat poison ivy. Sniff, snort, shake their head and move on to greener pickings.

    Possible they had it to soft and could be picky.
     
  9. Altoidfishfins

    Altoidfishfins Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    Might want to do it outside. Hot vinegar will stink up a house.
     
  10. chelloveck

    chelloveck Diabolus Causidicus

    Fortunately, due to our strict quarantine laws *glares at Mrs Depp, Boo and Pistol* Australia is not afflicted with Poison Ivy or Poison Oak. Here are some ideas for eradication. P.I.'s pretty resilient, you may have to monitor the "eradicated" area for signs of regrowth, and continue eradication measures until there is no regrowth.

    What is the best way to get rid of poison ivy?

    How To Kill Poison Ivy – Find Out What Is The Best Way To Get Rid Of Poison Ivy

    In case these and other online suggestions are ineffective.....play music to the plants......



    The Billy Thorpe cover version is particularly annoying....and effective ;)
     
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