In this article, we will talk about the ways to get rid of poison ivy plants. While we all love plants and nature’s beauty. In many cases, there are plants that are not so friendly. One of these plants is what is better known as poison ivy. Anyone who comes in contact with the plant can suffer from extremely painful rashes. These rashes occur because they are known to contain a serum called urushiol. The substance is a clear liquid compound that is present in the sap of the plant.
While they are known to grow in a wild habitat, they can develop at your home or human dwelling. It is extremely risky in that case as it can affect kids and pets, especially who are unaware about it. It is not difficult to get rid of the poison ivy plants, for all you have to do is follow the steps below. Before, we begin, let’s look at some of the symptoms of a poison ivy rash
Symptoms of Poison Ivy Rash:
- Rashes all over the affected area.
- Redness of the skin.
- Inflammation.
- Allergy
- Itching over the area.
Get Rid of Poison Ivy Plants:
Contents
1.) Chop it to Get Rid of Poison Ivy Plants
The first step to getting rid of a poison ivy plant is to chop it off using a set of a large gardening scissors. As you chop it off, make sure that you maintain your distance, as the oils present can react to your skin. Get a professional gardener to do the job for you, if they are in large numbers. Make sure to cut them off from their base. After the chopping off part is done, you could move on the next point.
2.) Take Out the Roots to Get Rid of Poison Ivy Plants
After you have chopped it off from the base, it is necessary that you move ahead with the next step. Cover yourself completely and wear gloves in your hand. All you have to do is to pull out the roots of the plant. It is necessary to pull the roots of the plant out as it can help it grow again. It is, therefore, important to get rid of the root cause itself. Carefully using your bare hands, covered with gloves take it out. After that is done, make sure to dispose of the plant of in a place which is away from everyone. If possible, try and burn it off.
3.) Put Boiling Water to Get Rid of Poison Ivy Plants
One of the other best remedies to get rid of poison ivy plant is to put boiling water over it. Boiling water will burn off the plant and will regulate its growth. Make sure to do this on a regular basis and it will hamper its spread.
Moreover boiling water also directly enters the root. It will seep through the ground and will be used by the plant. During the treatment make sure that the plant is not receiving any kind of sunlight. It is important that it does not receive any of that, for we want to restrict it completely. A good way to do has been discussed in the next point.
4.) Cover it to Get Rid of Poison Ivy Plants
One of the essential things required by all plants for their survival is water, heat, and light. While they mostly depend on rains for water; heat and light are provided to them by the sun. To strip the poison ivy plants of these two items don’t let the sun in their premises. No, we are not telling you to request the sun to not enter the specified area but by covering the plants with a plastic box or sheet. Arrange a sheet which does not allow the sun’s rays to pass through it. After that is done, cover the plants with the sheet all over them. When the task is completed, just sit back and relax. As the plants don’t get ample solar energy which is required for photosynthesis, they will die off. As it withers, follow the necessary steps to take it off and to get rid of it permanently.
5.) Use Herbicide to Get Rid of Poison Ivy Plants
An herbicide is one of the best remedies when it comes to getting rid of poison ivy plants. They are specially formulated for this purpose and can be considered a professional unwanted herbs killer. While many may not approve of the chemical variants, there are several natural ones also available in the market. These natural herbicides are formulated from plant oils and are organic in nature. They may not even cause any kind of allergy or pollutants in the environment. To use an herbicide follow the steps below:
- Prepare a concentrated mixture of herbicide and water.
- Make sure it is three times the normal strength.
- When it is prepared, put the herbicide concentrated mixture in a sprayer,
- Anything will work, even an empty window cleaner sprayer.
- Note, it is important that you carefully read all the instructions on the herbicide label.
- Spray it on the plants and when done, keep them at a separate place, for it is poisonous.
- Also, make sure that you don’t use ready-mixed herbicide, as they are not effective against poison ivy plants.
6.) Leave it to Get Rid of Poison Ivy Plants
While I understand you would like to kill me for this one but understand the point here. I mean, what is the need to kill the plant if it is doing you no harm. If it is located in some quite little corner. An area where there are rare chances of anyone going, leave it. It is food and shelter to many species of animals and insects. While if it is still a problem to you then you already know how to get rid of poison ivy plants.
The ignorance step should not be taken seriously if they are growing at a fast pace. If they are spreading up to other areas then action has to be taken. Think about it and decide for yourself.