Poison Ivy is a Vine that Produces an Oily Resin

Poison Ivy is a vine that produces an oily resin known as urushiol, which triggers an allergic contact dermatitis. The rash typically consists of itchy, red blisters. To prevent an outbreak, you must remove the poison ivy and properly dispose of it to stop it from re-growing. Several methods exist for clearing poison ivy, from digging it out by hand to using herbicides. The simplest way to kill it is to cut it off at the garden with shears or pruners, and then dig up the roots. You can also douse the plant with boiling water, suffocate it with mulch or spray it with a Poison Ivy Free.

If you’re concerned about using an herbicide, or want to be more environmentally friendly, try pulling the Poison Ivy Free out of the ground by hand. Use a Poison Ivy Free to dig up the entire root system and discard it to discourage re-growth. This method takes time and requires patience, because poison ivy tends to grow quickly. But it’s the only sure-fire way to prevent re-growth.

To make the job easier, wear protective gear: long sleeves, pants, gloves, eye protection and boots or shoes. Avoid touching bare skin, and wash clothing that came in contact with the plant as soon as possible. Rubbing alcohol can be used to clean exposed areas. Boiling water can be poured on the poison ivy to kill it, and vinegar solutions or a mix of rubbing alcohol and water can be sprayed on the roots to help eliminate them.

Baking soda — a non-toxic, organic alternative to chemical herbicides — is another natural way to kill poison ivy. Mix a solution of equal parts white vinegar and salt, and apply it to the plant’s leaves and roots, making sure to cover all areas. The vinegar lowers the soil pH, which makes it inhospitable for the plant. The high concentration of salt dehydrates it, and a combination of these two effects usually kills the poison ivy in a few days. Be cautious when applying salt around other plants, because it could damage or kill desirable vegetation.

If you’ve cleared an area of poison ivy and are worried about it coming back, cover the ground with thick mulch or a tarp. This will deprive the poison ivy of sunlight and prevent it from photosynthesizing, which ultimately kills the plant. This is a good option for public areas or fields where digging out the plants by hand is impractical.

If you’ve suffered a case of poison ivy, apply calamine lotion or an over-the-counter steroid cream to ease itching and prevent infection. If the rash doesn’t improve or becomes painful, see your doctor for a stronger prescription cream or oral steroids. The most severe rash may require hospitalization for intravenous fluids and steroids. In this case, it’s important to notify your health care provider of the symptoms, so the appropriate medical treatment can be administered immediately.