Killing Poison Ivy Plants

The last kind of plant you want to find growing in your yard is a poison ivy plant. As you probably know, a poison ivy rash is unbearable. The persistent, horrible itching and the red bumps that ooze can drive you crazy. If you have this plant growing on your property you need to know the best methods to use for killing poison ivy plants before someone in your family comes into contact with them.

Herbicides are effective in killing poison ivy plants. You can purchase a herbicide from an ordinary garden center. Be sure to pick up a pair of protective goggles and a breathing mask to protect yourself from the toxic fumes. Herbicides will kill other vegetation as well, so use caution when applying the chemical to the poison ivy. Once the plant is killed, wear gloves and pull the entire root system out of the ground. Dispose of the dead plant and the roots in a plastic garbage bag.

Another method that is widely used for killing poison ivy plants is total eradication. This does not involve an chemicals or solution, but only calls for a lot of muscle power. You should use a shovel and dig around the plant, deep into the ground, being sure that you get to the ends of the roots. Dig up all of the poison ivy plants that you see growing and dispose of the plants and roots in plastic garbage bags as described earlier.

Poison ivy can climb because it grows vines that wrap themselves around trees and fence posts. To kill poison ivy that has climbed onto neighboring trees or fences you should cut the vine off about six inches above ground level. Put some glyphosate on the stump after you cut it. This kills the roots and prevents the plant from growing more. Glyphosate is sold under the brand names of Roundup or Kleenup.

Another popular method used for killing poison ivy plants is by using hot water. To use this method,  fill a large cooking pot full of water and heat it to a boil. Use potholders to carry the hot water and carefully walk to the patch of poison ivy.  Slowly pour the hot, scorching water over the plants. If the plants have not withered within 48 hours, repeat the process. Once the plants have been killed, dig up the roots and dispose of them in a plastic garbage bag.