Poison Ivy -- HELP!!!

[dillo99]

spray spray spray. I have 27 acres and lots of poison ivy when I first arrived. I have contained it from the areas I used with regular spraying.

Also, if you can get on the land with the orchard, cut the vines that are growing on the trees (just cut them at the base). Poison Ivy produces berries which the birds eat. They then deposit seeds which is the primary method it hops from place to place. By eliminating the seeds you will help limit the spread onto your property. The other way it spreads is through the roots - but that's where the spraying comes in.

 

[hazmat]

Biological / Chemical / Mechanical warfare on poison ivy?

Is there something that I can plant that will out-compete poison ivy? I've tried hitting it here & there with roundup, but it seems to come back every year stronger than before.

The area is an iterface between woods & a grass strip along the road/sidewalk. It drops off steeply into the woods & has several stumps, so I can't mow it w/ the tractor (MMM). I hate to use a weedwacker - I tend to get the rash pretty easy if I contact the stuff.

Once I get my new tractor, I may dig the stumps out & try to fill it in a little - is that the best plan? If it stops raining, I'll take a pic.

Anybody got a goat they want to lend me?

 

[pennwalk]

Re: Biological / Chemical / Mechanical warfare on poison ivy?

I have good luck with round-up poison ivy spray. It takes some time to work and I have to keep at it year to year. In the third year here there is very little poison ivy.

Chris

 

[MadDogDriver]

Re: Biological / Chemical / Mechanical warfare on poison ivy?

I hate that stuff, including Poison Oak & Sumac.

Cutting it won't help and will make matters worse. You need to remove every bit of the plant--leaves, vines, and roots--or it will sprout again. That's easier said than done, especially if you're like me and can't get close to it without breaking out. I end up looking like a space man, long pants & sleeves, boots, and plastic gloves over cotton gloves when going after it (and then thoroughly washing the clothes afterwards). Or get someone who's not as allergic to it, like my wife .

If you want to go the chemical route, Poison-ivy is best controlled with an herbicide containing triclopyr, a woody brush-killer. It should be applied directly to the leaves of the poison-ivy, not soaked into the ground. When used according to directions, this herbicide should not injure established grasses, only broad-leafed plants. I've had best results with Ortho Brush-B-Gone (foam version if you can find it.) This may take several years to completely get it chemically.

Disposal of the plants is a must, because even the dead ones still can cause a reaction, because urushiol remains active for several years after the plant dies. Special disposal may be required by your local municipal regulations. Whatever you do, don't burn it!! The urushiol can spread in the smoke and cause serious lung irritation. UGH!

Good luck..

 

[Oleozz]

Re: Biological / Chemical / Mechanical warfare on poison ivy?

I never get it but I have been plowing fields that have lots of poison ivy, the root system is unreal and because I had to remove roots from the plow I did get a bit on my arms and wrist. The best thing I've found is Roundup Brush and Weed Killer. It also does a good job on multiflura rose. A gallon cost about $100 but a gallon mixed with water makes about 24 gal. It does kill everything that you spray it on including the good plants so you need to use with discretion.

 

[MadDogDriver]

We've got the same discussion going on over in the Other Forums - Rural Living. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/100341-biological-chemical-mechanical-warfare-poison.html

Good ideas on both threads.

Easiest removal method I've found is with Ortho's Brush-B-Gone applied directly to the leaves. Have to reapply, but gone in about 2 years.

 

[MadDogDriver]

Re: Biological / Chemical / Mechanical warfare on poison ivy?

The same discussion is taking place over on the Projects Forum.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/100306-poison-ivy-help.html

Good ideas there too.

 

[Tom_H]

Re: Biological / Chemical / Mechanical warfare on poison ivy?

And since some may not know this (while others do), do not burn poision oak, ivy, or sumack. The oil gets into the smoke and if inhaled into the lungs, that's the worst way to get it. There have been SEVERAL reports here on TBN of friends and neighbors breathing this stuff and dying. One report was by a member who said he was hospitalized for a year and will never fully recover. Just think of all that stuff that gets on your arms and legs and then imagine the same thing completely covering the inner lining of your lungs.

 

[shaley]

Re: Biological / Chemical / Mechanical warfare on poison ivy?

Like MadDog said.
Urushiol - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I swell up just looking at it.

 

[irwin]

I've got several areas just like these. First dose of brush-b-gone today, two big bottles mixed per directions, soaked the leaves but good. I expect to see signs of plant distress soon, with brown, dying leaves in less then a week.

Next week I'll look for more and respray.