On my other forum, someone posted a harmless way to kill poison ivy plants, but I am not sure what it is now. I do not want to use the poison and accidently kill my horses or my flowers, or me for that matter. Anyone have any ideas ?
Even if you kill the poison ivy the plant stems remain. The stems still contain urushiol, the oil that causes the skin rash rash. Successful eradication of poison ivy will still involve removal of the plant. If you kill the plant with a product containing glyphosate the active ingredient in Roundup and similar products, the product will also kill any vegetation it contacts so READ THE LABEL. Since you will still have to remove the dead stems my suggestion is to pull the plant. Everything that comes in contact with the plant will have some urushiol on it so be prepared to wash all clothing, gloves and tools. I have walked through poison ivy, realized I did so and washed everything including my running shoes. I have a rule of thumb for poison ivy contact, wash with soap in less than two minutes. When I find poison ivy in my yard I get a trash bag, cover my hand and arm, yank the plant and invert the bag, tie the bag in a knot and throw it away. Allergic to the stuff since was small I rarely get a rash, I like to keep it that way. Glad to answer questions, technical or otherwise. Jerry
I did not want to use poisons such as Roundup [I have some Spectracide] because it could kill my flowers, or hurt my horses who have to graze loose in my yard part time until I get more pasture cleared and fenced in. I believe the poster on my previous forum said vinegar, but I am not sure. I am allergic to it also, and it is in several flower beds. It is very agressive here.
I did not want to use poisons such as Roundup [I have some Spectracide] because it could kill my flowers, or hurt my horses who have to graze loose in my yard part time until I get more pasture cleared and fenced in. I believe the poster on my previous forum said vinegar, but I am not sure. I am allergic to it also, and it is in several flower beds. It is very agressive here.
Ortho makes one for poison oak and brush. It works great on poison ivy as well. I used a cloth glove with a rubber glove under it! I dip the gloved hand in the killer and then take hold of the plant and smear it on the leaves. I mixed it strong! And the Ivy is gone the Russian Olive trees are also DEAD. works great this way.
I don't think there is any way to really get rid of the stuff without using an herbicide. Whether you use glyphosate aka: roundup (round up and spectracide are trade names not always different products) or 2,4-D(broadleaf herbicide) on the plant. You don't want to come in contact with it if you are allergic, so pulling it is out of the question, obviously. Nor do you want to use one of those weed torches powered by propane. Inhaling the ashes is very dangerous. If you want and all natural way to get rid of it, getting a goat is your only option. They seem to eat anything.I also don't think yo have to worry about your horses eating anything with a spray on it, I never saw any of our horses eating poison ivy, ever, even if there was nothing else to eat I don't think they would touch a sprayed plant.
I think it would be impossible to totally eradicate it here. Lots of open pastureland. So we just keep it mowed down and/or pulled up. I remember being allergic as a youngster. Do NOT want to go through that again.
My horse doesnt eat poison ivy, there is plenty in her pasture, BUT she does eat flowers and this in several flower beds. The herbicide would kill my flowers so that is not an option. A goat would also eat my flowers.
