Poison ivy can be very difficult to deal with.If you want a safe way to get rid of the plant, try digging up the roots or spraying a solution.boiling water or a layer of sheet mulch is all you need to kill off any remaining roots.Don't let poison ivy come into contact with your skin while you work with it.
Step 1: The poison ivy has three leaves and pointed tips.
The leaves of poison ivy are made up of 3 leaflets.The center leaflet is slightly taller than the 2 on the sides, and the leaves will change according to the season.The plant can grow as a vine or a bush, and may have clusters of hard, white berry-like fruit.The leaves will change colors in the spring, summer and fall.Poison ivy plants can vary a bit.They may have smooth or jagged edges, and their texture can either be glossy or dull.Plants with the 3-leaf compound should be avoided.
Step 2: You should wear long sleeves and pants to keep your skin from touching the plant.
Wear full-coverage clothes and gloves with no holes to cover as much skin as possible.Just in case, you may want to tape the ends of your sleeves to your gloves and pants.You should carry a garbage bag with you to collect the poison ivy plant.
Step 3: Wear thick gloves when handling poison ivy.
If you want the best protection, choose a glove made of vinyl or leather.A pair of cotton gardening gloves with plastic gloves could be used for a disposable option.Don't wear latex gloves when working with poison ivy.The latex brings the plant oil to your skin.
Step 4: You should wear gloves while you work.
The digging method requires direct contact with the plant, so take extra care to protect yourself.Work gloves, clothing with full coverage, and protective eyewear are required.
Step 5: Plants can be pulled up with plastic shopping bags.
A plastic shopping bag is another layer of protection.Lift the shopping bag up to pull the plant out of the ground.Pull out as many roots as you can.Lifting too quickly can tear the roots and leave them behind.If you want to prevent the plant oils from spreading, use a new plastic bag.If you have to remove larger plants, use a shovel to dig up their roots first and then pull them out.
Step 6: There is a garbage bag with leaves and stalks.
Don't touch the outside of the garbage bag with the plant.The poison ivy should be placed in the main garbage bag with the shopping bag still wrapped around it.Continue until all the plants are gone.
Step 7: To remove leftover roots, dig about 20 cm into the ground.
You can use your shovel to dig up and remove root systems.All the way out to the edges is where the plants were growing.Since this could spread the problem, be careful not to throw the dirt into unaffected areas.You can put leftover roots in the garbage bag.
Step 8: Don't put the garbage bag in the bin.
Take your full garbage bag to a dump or dumpster while you are still wearing your protective gear.Since these methods will only spread the plant's harmful oils, do not put it in your trash bins, burn it, or compost it.
Step 9: Clean and wash any materials that came in contact with plants.
You can wash your clothes and gloves with the hottest water possible.If your gloves are disposable, throw them away or give them a good wash.You can rinse your shovel off with mineral spirits and other gardening tools.
Step 10: Gloves and eye protection are recommended for spraying.
To prevent the spray from entering your eyes, wear a pair of safety goggles or glasses.If you come in contact with a poison ivy plant, you should wear gloves.
Step 11: The 5 US gal bucket has a mixture of water, salt, and dish soap.
Use a plastic or wooden stirring stick to stir in 1 c of salt after pouring in a gallon of water.When the solution is completely combined, stir in 15 mL of dish soap.
Step 12: The spray bottle has a capacity of 955 liters.
Transfer the solution into a spray bottle with a funnel or measuring cup.Make sure the spray nozzle is in the open position when you screw the top onto the bottle.During the spraying process, refill the bottle.
Step 13: The solution should be sprayed over the plants.
Put the solution on the leaves and stalks.Keep in mind that this solution will kill any plant it comes in contact with, so be careful not to spray it on other plants.The solution will be washed away by the rain, so don't spray it on a rainy day.
Step 14: Wait 2 weeks and spray again if necessary.
The root system will be killed by the mixture.You may need to repeat this process many times to eradicate the poison ivy.
Step 15: Garbage bags should be used to dispose of poison ivy plants.
The plants would only spread their inflammatory oils if they were burned or composted.Poison ivy can be thrown away if sealed up in garbage bags.Drop the bags off at a dumpster or leave them out for garbage collection.
Step 16: It's a good idea to avoid touching your face when working with poison ivy.
It is possible to transfer and stay on your gloves and other protective clothing.If you have been handling poison ivy plants, don't touch your face, ears, nose, or mouth until you've had a chance to wash your hands with soap and warm water.
Step 17: After contact with poison ivy, wash your clothing and tools.
You should make sure to wash any clothing that you wore while working on poison ivy.All of the poison ivy oils need to be washed a second time.This may seem excessive, but it can save you a lot of pain later.To cleanse your tools, rinse them with mineral spirits.
Step 18: If you come into contact with poison ivy, wash your skin immediately.
The plant will cause a lot of irritation to your skin.If you came in contact with the plant, wash the area thoroughly with soap and warm water, scrub under your nails, and wash your clothes.You can sometimes limit the rash if you catch the contact quickly.
Step 19: The rash is calm.
If you develop the stinging, itching red rash that comes with poison ivy oil, immediately treat it.Soothe the itching with a layer of calamine lotion, or make a cold compress by soaking a washcloth in cool water and wringing it out, then laying it over the affected skin.You can apply non-prescription hydrocortisone to the area or take an antihistamine pill to help with itching and swelling.It is important to avoid irritating the rash further if you try to resist the urge to scratch.You can soothe the skin with a cool washcloth if you scratch.
Step 20: You can kill any hidden roots by pouring boiling water over the dug-up area.
Bring the largest pot of water to a boil.The water should be poured over the entire area you dug up.To protect yourself and other plants, pour slowly and not to splash the hot water.If you want to kill all of the roots, you need to repeat the boiling water technique several times.
Step 21: There is a layer of sheet mulch.
Spread a 1 foot deep layer of compost, grass clippings, straw, or wood chips after you pull or spray the plants.For a full season, leave the sheet mulch on so it can function as a barrier, preventing any new poison ivy plants, while simultaneously revitalizing the soil.If you want to add an even stronger barrier, place cardboard underneath the sheet mulch or a layer of plywood over it.You could cover the affected area with several layers of cardboard, then top it with mulch.
Step 22: During the next few weeks, watch the area for any new growth.
Any new growth should be checked around the edges of the mulched area.If you see any of them, spray or dig them up.The plants will not come back if there is more sheet mulch in the area.When you stop finding regrowth, the area is clear of poison ivy.