Summer Seasonal Tips: Poison Ivy, Be Gone

For the unlucky among us, Poison Ivy will sprout up in our yards this Summer and start making itself at home. Here’s how to safely remove Poison Ivy from the floor of your yard or landscape.

To start, you have to strap up. Poison Ivy is no joke and unless you want a bright stinging rash redder than Santa’s robe on your face and arms, you have to stay protected. Slip into pants and a long-sleeve shirt and grab gloves and goggles too. Consider taping the closures at your ankles, where your pants meet your shoes, and around your wrists, where your gloves meet your shirt.

Poison Ivy is a vine that can be yanked out and unrooted from the ground. Adding a little water to the surface will help you loosen the roots even further and aid you in the removal process.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nHHRcPR5QE

After you’ve removed all the Poison Ivy from the ground, double-bag it and dispose of it properly in the trash. Poison Ivy should not be composted or burned as the oils and leaves will sting your eyes and lungs.

To prevent its regrowth, smother the ground where it originally sprouted up. Like many types of vegetation, Poison Ivy thrives in direct sunlight. By putting down a thick layer of wood chips, mulch, or gravel, you can prevent sunlight from hitting any leftover roots and spurring them back to life. Check with your local vendors to see what materials they might have to cover up old Poison Ivy growth.

Wash your clothes and your hands after removing Poison Ivy and reach for products like Tecnu or Zanfel that wash away the active chemical in Poison Ivy that causes rashes.