How to Kill Poison Ivy – Effective Weed Killing Solutions

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Last Updated on January 18, 2023 by Griselda M.

If you’re in search of solutions on how to kill poison ivy, then the information in this blog post will be beneficial to you. Unfortunately, when poison ivy settles in your yard, it can become a menace. In this article, we share the best ways to get rid of it and other useful information. There are many options that you could go for when it comes to eliminating poison ivy from your garden. These include ready-to-use poison ivy killers, home remedies, and others. But, with so many products available on the market, how do you find the best one? The reason for this is that you would have to consider a few things before choosing the one that works best for your landscape.

In this guide, we look at three of the best options to help you figure out which one is the safest and most effective. Considering that you may have a garden full of plants, ensuring that the chemicals you use would not flaw their growth or risk their health is vital. As much fun as it is to have a luxurious plot of grass with carefully cultivated flowers and vegetables, having a yard still comes with numerous responsibilities. One of the most important is preventing the growth of pests, especially ones that are damaging and harmful to your thriving garden.

Perhaps the most annoying and pernicious pest is poison ivy. This plant is well known for the chemical it secretes, which induces an allergic reaction in most humans, causing rashes, itchiness, and other health issues. Although a lot of animals aren’t affected by the poison ivy chemical secretions, humans need to avoid direct contact with it because of the nuisance it may pose. Take heed of the information below to learn how to get rid of poison ivy.

What Kills Poison Ivy?

If you’re wondering what kills poison ivy the fastest and how effective it is, let me explain. According to tried and tested methods, herbicides containing components that include triclopyr, amine, mecoprop, dicamba, amine, and glyphosate kill poison ivy very quickly. However, it is essential to keep in mind that although herbicides containing these ingredients will eliminate poison ivy, they can also damage or kill off the plants in your existing garden. Therefore, you would have to be very careful when choosing one to rid of unwanted poison ivy as you could flaw your garden in the same rush.

However, these herbicides are miracle workers when it comes to eradicating poison ivy. How it works is that it attacks the cut stems and leaves and travels throughout the plant, killing the roots and shoots. It is also essential to note that in some instances, it may take longer to get rid of them because of your location, weather conditions, and other factors that aid in keeping them alive. For this reason, A few additional applications may be called for to completely rid them of your yard. When and how the herbicide is applied is therefore of vital importance. Ensure that before you begin, you have ample knowledge of how to kill poison ivy.

What is the Best Poison Ivy Killer? – Our Recommendation

As mentioned above, there are many herbicides containing several effective ingredients that you could opt for. However, What is the best poison ivy killer from the lot? When it comes to poison ivy and other woody vines, triclopyr seems to be the most effective postemergence option that has proven to be deadly in getting rid of these nuisances. You will find that this specific herbicide is widely used in noncropland regions, commercial agriculture, and forestry amongst others. It is also known by a variety of different names and can be purchased online or in lawn and garden stores in your area.

If I had to choose amongst the best from the available suppliers, I would have to go with the Brush-B-Gon triclopyr formula as it stands up to its name. This is because it is the preferred formula for most gardeners and homeowners as it has been tried and tested, delivering excellent results in the process. For the best results, triclopyr should be applied when the weather is sunny and permitting. Applying it at the full leaf growth stage of poison ivy is recommended for favorable results.

 Is Poison Ivy Spray Effective

So, is poison ivy spray effective? If you’re wondering how poison ivy spray work, then let me give you a quick explanation. To answer the first question, yes, poison ivy spray is effective. However, there are several sprays that you could opt for which includes readymade herbicides and homemade solutions. Before you make the choice of which one to use, you should consider the plants growing in your yard. This is because desirable plants may be destroyed in the process if you’re not careful.

Reasons to Use a Pesticide

There are several reasons to use a pesticide to get rid of poison ivy in your garden. A lot of people try to avoid using pesticides and herbicides, but sometimes the situation becomes so dire that it is necessary. While there are a couple of homemade remedies people can try, they usually don’t have the lasting results that using a genuine herbicide would afford.

Herbicides tend to attack not only the visible stems and leaves but also reach down deep into the soil to tackle the roots and stop the plant from growing back. The pesticide will additionally target any offshoots of the primary poison ivy plant, meaning, it will eliminate any smaller versions that have started to grow in the nearby area. This would prove advantageous if you hope to get rid of the problem once and for all. It is therefore essential that you know how to get rid of poison ivy from root to top.

How to Use a Pesticide

Knowing how to use a pesticide is essential as applying it at the right time of day and in the correct areas will help get rid of poison ivy plants. If you choose to use a pesticide or herbicide, remember to read all of the instructions and double-check the ingredients. You want to make sure that you are using the product correctly to prevent damage to your existing garden plants, potential injury to oneself, and other unpleasant occurrences. 

As a general rule, never use poison ivy spray around children, pets, and other living things. Try not to inhale the solution and rinse and wash immediately if you accidentally spray or get liquid on yourself. The ingredients that are poisonous to poison ivy are also hazardous to humans. Therefore, you must wear gloves when working around it.

After the herbicide has been sprayed, the area should be kept free of interferences for the next 24-48 hours, or however long the product directs. This is to ensure none of the poison is transferred while it is freshly applied to the poison ivy plant. Taking heed of the instructions on how to kill poison ivy is advised.

Best Ways to Get Rid of Poison Ivy

Several options come to mind when I think about the best ways to get rid of poison ivy. If you are still wary of using an herbicide, it is possible to use a natural, homemade remedy. However, these tend to be less effective and will require more work on your end. Perhaps the simplest is pouring boiling water on the main stem of a plant. This will kill not only the growths you see but can also reach into the soil and burn the roots.

But, the constant application should be done timeously to see effective results. The fastest and best way to get rid of poison ivy according to avid gardeners and homeowners is to use a herbicide or pesticide that is created for weed killing. But, this should not be applied hastily, especially if you know how to kill poison ivy. Therefore, the directions on the product must be followed to a T. Also take note of the information in this poison ivy killer guide to ensure that you’re doing it right.

Homemade Poison Ivy Killer

A homemade poison ivy killer is an excellent option if you don’t want to use hazardous chemicals in your yard. Not only is it safer for you and those around you, but your garden plants will also not come into the firing line if you go with the options below. These are some alternative methods, including making an herbicide composed primarily of vinegar and dish soap:

• You will need 1 gallon of water, 1 cup of vinegar, and 8 drops of liquid dish soap.
• Boil the water and then slowly mix in the vinegar.
• Then allow it to cool a little before adding the soap and gently mixing so it doesn’t become too bubbly.
• Spray the mixture on poison ivy stems and roots to kill unwanted growths.

Another version of this mixture replaces the vinegar with salt, which people are more likely to have around the home. The same basic rules apply, so the water needs to be boiled, and then the salt slowly mixed in. Once the mixture cools a little bit, you can then mix in the soap and go to work spraying the poison ivy plant. 

Finally, there is one more version. This one is more caustic but uses the same ingredients. Instead of using a gallon of water, you instead use a gallon of vinegar and then mix it with 1 cup of salt and the liquid dish soap. This mixture has a strong scent but is highly effective and acidic.

Of course, you can always put on gloves and protective clothing and dig the poison ivy out by the roots so it doesn’t come back. However, this takes physical effort and comes with the risk of developing a rash from contact with the plant if you’re not exceptionally careful. The benefits of knowing how to kill poison ivy increases when your options are vast.

Check Out These Potent Pesticides

Bonide Products 506 Poison Oak and Ivy Killer 

This Bonide Products 506 is an easy-to-spray bottle of poison oak and ivy killer that can be applied directly to the roots and stems of unwanted growths. The main ingredient in this herbicide is dimethylamine salt, which dries out poison ivy and oak and kills it over several days. You should wear gloves when using this herbicide because you will need to get close down to the roots of the plant.

This herbicide starts working overnight but may need up to four weeks to eliminate an entire patch of poison ivy. There needs to be enough time for it to dry before it rains to prove effective. Unlike many other options, Bonide Products 506 is safe to use on grass, so it will kill poison ivy without affecting the lawn. It is also effective against common weeds like dandelion, thistle, clover, ground ivy, ragweed, creeping charlie, chicory, and stinging nettle.

Each bottle contains 32 oz. of herbicide, which is enough for multiple applications.

Pros

• Won’t harm grass and can be used on lawns
• Targets other weeds in addition to poison ivy
• Also works on poison oak
• Comes in an easy-to-spray and-use bottle

Cons

• Can take up to four weeks to work properly
• Works better on young poison ivy shoots than grown plants

Roundup 5203980 Poison Ivy Plus Tough Brush Killer

One of the main benefits of this Roundup 5203980 is that the herbicide can kill annoying thorny brush in addition to poison ivy. This product comes in a large container and includes a special spraying nozzle that is held separately and allows for a more direct application of the product to stems and roots. Each container holds a whopping 1.3 gallons, which means there is enough for numerous uses or to treat a large patch of poison ivy.

The main ingredient in this herbicide is glyphosate, which is made to penetrate waxy leaves and reach down into the center of the poison ivy. This herbicide can be sprayed directly on leaves or target roots when applied further down. It is recommended to wear gloves when using this product because users need to get close to the weed.

Roundup 5203980 can be used directly on vines and works well on growths that have climbed up fences, buildings, and mature trees. It becomes rainproof in 30 minutes and starts to kill poison ivy and other weed irritants within 24 hours.

Pros

• The applicator wand is simple and easy to use
• Two powerful ingredients make this herbicide work double-time
• It becomes waterproof in 30 minutes
• The herbicide works on adult poison ivy

Cons

• Cannot be used around shrubs or immature trees
• Sometimes the spraying wand clogs

Green Gobbler Vinegar Weed & Grass Killer

This Green Gobbler Vinegar Weed & Grass Killer is an excellent option for individuals who are still uncomfortable with the thought of using stronger herbicides. The primary ingredient is vinegar, which is highly acidic and can destroy the stems and roots of poison ivy. The only downside is this works on grass and crabgrass as well, so it needs to be applied with care. This is packaged in an easy-to-use bottle with a sprayer that can be screwed into the top.

The Green Gobbler works within several hours and becomes water-resistant and waterproof in less than 24 hours. This is a desiccant, which means it dries out the stems and leaves as a form of destruction. The formula is effective on other weeds as well, including crabgrass, dandelions, clover weeds, white clover, and moss. 

Pros

• Works within hours
• Affects other common weeds like crabgrass
• Comes with an easy to use the sprayer
• Works on fully-grown poison ivy

Cons

• Highly corrosive to wood and metal
• This product is hazardous to humans and pets

Conclusion

Although all of these poison ivy killers are great, the absolute best one is the Roundup 5203980 Poison Ivy Plus Tough Brush Killer because it is tough, the easiest to use, and comes with a guarantee from the manufacturer. All you have to do is use the spray applicator and target poison ivy plants directly around the roots. Plus, this herbicide works on other common weeds, so you never have to worry about invasive plants again. Now that you know how to kill poison ivy and the ready-to-use product and homemade options you have, you can get rid of these irritants effectively.

Tony Manhart

Tony Manhart is a passionate gardener who has been tending to gardens for over 20 years. He takes pride in creating beautiful outdoor spaces with plants, trees, and shrubs that can thrive in any environment. He loves to share his knowledge with others and has taught classes on gardening basics and advanced techniques. He is committed to sustainability, using natural and organic methods to create and maintain gardens. He also works with local organizations to create green spaces for communities. When he’s not gardening, Tony enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with his family.

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