poison ivy - Ask Extension
I want to get rid of the Poison ivy plant in a way that is safe for the environment.
Knowledgebase
poison ivy #875900
Asked July 04, 2024, 7:47 AM EDT
What is a safe way to get rid of poison ivy. Our yard backs up to woods and I noticed this year a lot of poison ivy is growing.
Thanks
Frank
Cecil County Maryland
Expert Response
I want to get rid of the Poison ivy plant in a way that is safe for the environment.
Good morning Frank and thanks for your question.
Poison Ivy is a plant that is native to Maryland and has evolved over eons in harmony with our other native flora and fauna. As such, the birds and wildlife love its white berries and help it to move around. In your woods or wild areas where people don't tend to brush against it, it can be left alone.
Here is our page on it:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/poison-ivy/
For areas where you want removal, if you do not want to use chemicals you will want to cover all of your skin by
wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, protective gloves, and boots in order to work with the plants. (Or hire someone willing to do this- some people are not sensitive to the oils of the plant which cause the rash).
Young, small plants can be hand-pulled, dug or cut repeatedly.
Large vines climbing trees don't hurt them but if you want to remove, do not pull them off the bark. Instead just cut a slice (at least about a half inch thick) low down towards the ground to kill the part that is climbing the tree. That part will eventually dry out and fall off.
You can carefully spray or dab the lower cut portion with a non-selective, systemic herbicide containing the active ingredient glyphosate or triclopyr. Read and follow all label instructions carefully.
Launder your work clothes separately from the rest of your laundry.
Those chemicals can also be applied to actively growing leaves, but be careful not to contact desirable plants as any green tissue to which it is applied will be harmed. Used carefully and judiciously according to label instructions.
Christine
Poison Ivy is a plant that is native to Maryland and has evolved over eons in harmony with our other native flora and fauna. As such, the birds and wildlife love its white berries and help it to move around. In your woods or wild areas where people don't tend to brush against it, it can be left alone.
Here is our page on it:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/poison-ivy/
For areas where you want removal, if you do not want to use chemicals you will want to cover all of your skin by
wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, protective gloves, and boots in order to work with the plants. (Or hire someone willing to do this- some people are not sensitive to the oils of the plant which cause the rash).
Young, small plants can be hand-pulled, dug or cut repeatedly.
Large vines climbing trees don't hurt them but if you want to remove, do not pull them off the bark. Instead just cut a slice (at least about a half inch thick) low down towards the ground to kill the part that is climbing the tree. That part will eventually dry out and fall off.
You can carefully spray or dab the lower cut portion with a non-selective, systemic herbicide containing the active ingredient glyphosate or triclopyr. Read and follow all label instructions carefully.
Launder your work clothes separately from the rest of your laundry.
Those chemicals can also be applied to actively growing leaves, but be careful not to contact desirable plants as any green tissue to which it is applied will be harmed. Used carefully and judiciously according to label instructions.
Christine
