How To Get Rid Of Poison Ivy From Your Yard: 5 Effective Methods
If you ever had the misfortune of brushing against poison ivy, then you know this plant is not your friend. As you can guess by its name poison ivy is a toxic plant that likes to grow rapidly in woody or swampy areas. However, it can also make the occasional appearance in your backyard. This is when it becomes a problem. Poison ivy may look beautiful, but it secretes a faint yellow oil that is toxic. If this oil happens to come into direct contact with your skin, it will trigger a red, itchy, painful rash. Yikes! So, if you have notices this vine-like plant with its trio of pointed leaves, it’s better to remove it from your property as soon as possible. Today we will show you how to get rid of poison ivy once and for all, so you can make your garden a safe space once again.
Poison ivy is a toxic plant that likes to grow rapidly in woody or swampy areas
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How To Get Rid Of Poison Ivy
Poison ivy is a bit of a pain to eradicate, but it is not impossible. You just need to know how to tackle those pesky twisting, clinging roots. But that’s why we are here to help. We will show you how to safely remove it without damaging any of your prized plants. Just make sure you gear up, so no part of your skin is exposed. This means work boots, long sleeves and pants and rubber gloves. So, here are some of the most effective methods when it comes to removing poison ivy from your property.
Once the oil comes into direct contact with your skin, it will trigger a red, itchy, painful rash
#Herbicides
This isn’t the most environmentally friendly way to tackle poison ivy, but it is super effective. It is a good choice if your backyard is overrun by ivy and you need to eliminate it fast. Commercial chemical herbicide will help you get the job done. Just make sure to look for herbicides with glyphosate as it can infiltrate poison ivy’s complex root system and take it out. If any new growth tries to appear after you have killed the plant, spray again immediately.
Commercial chemical herbicide will help you get the job done
#Weeding
You can always get rid of ivy with some good old manual labor. But just be ready because it is not the easiest way to rid yourself of this toxic plant. Gear up with your longest pants and highest boots. Make sure you are wearing long sleeves and gloves. Then it’s time to start digging. When it comes to poison ivy you will need to put some effort in as you will have to dig down at least six inches to get rid of all its roots. Weeding is effective and safe to the surrounding nature, but it’s possible to miss a few roots, so keep an eye out for new growth and eliminate it as soon as you see it.
You can always get rid of ivy with some good old manual labor
#DIY Spray
If you don’t want to use any harsh chemicals in your garden, you can always make your very own DIY spray solution. In general, there are two solutions that can help you beat this toxic plant. You can mix three pounds of salt, a quarter cup of dish soap and a gallon of water and spray the ivy. Another option is to fill your spray bottle with white vinegar and go ham spraying the ivy. Just make sure you don’t spray the surrounding soil. Repeat spraying the ivy with your preferred solution until it dies and doesn’t reoccur.
You can always make your very own DIY spray solution
#Boiling Water
This is a safe and natural method to get rid of weeds and poison ivy, but it may take a couple of tries. All you need to do is boil some water in the kettle or in a pot. Then out the boiling water all over the poison ivy. This will kill off the plant on top, but won’t get to the underground roots. That’s why you need to repeat this method every time you see new growth. Eventually the growth rate will slow, and no ivy will grow back. This method is best if your ivy is growing somewhere near a path, driveway, or somewhere far from your garden beds. Do not douse the ivy if it is growing near your plants, as you are risking killing them as well.
This is a safe and natural method to get rid of weeds and poison ivy
#Smother It
Even if you are not into gardening, you likely know that for a plant to grow it needs a couple of basic things: light, water, and nutrients. So, if you want to easily kill a plant, you need to deprive it of these things. That’s why starving it from air and light is a great way to rid yourself of this pesky plant. It’s also safe for everyone around: pets, kids, and plants included! Just take a plastic tarp or some cardboard and cover the poison ivy patch. Weigh the cover with something, so the plant is firmly smothered and leave it for around six to eight weeks.
Just take a plastic tarp or some cardboard and cover the poison ivy patch
These were the most effective methods on how to get rid of poison ivy from your yard. We hope you found this article useful. You can finally say goodbye to those annoying itchy rashes and hello to a poison ivy-free garden space.
These were the most effective methods on how to get rid of poison ivy
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