Natural solution to Poison Ivy????

[cjeanean]

I have horrible poison ivy at my house, huge plants that are growing up the sides of my trees. My yard is at a slant, and if I put weed killer on the ground I'm worried it will run down the slope and end up in my chicken run when it rains. Does anyone know of a natural/non-toxic to chickens poison ivy killer??? Thanks!!!

 

[tinners204]

yes, goats will eat it.

 

[chickens4jojo]

Quote:
I just read that, too. There are some people who will allow you to "rent" their goats just to get rid of poison ivy & other bad weeds.

 

[dacjohns]

This isn't really a natural solution.

All the herbicides that I know of are applied directly to the plant. They are not long lasting so if you watch the weather forecast and apply when no rain is forecast then you shouldn't have a problem.

If you are opposed to herbicide use then it is a different story. Sometimes there is no other practical way though.

 

[ams3651]

its not a natural solution but my Roundup pump bottle has a foam setting that doesnt run. Works well and doesnt run off.

 

[Beekissed]

Straight vinegar on the plant and at the roots! Burns them right out and you can remove the dead plants....just use gloves and protective clothing, wash it separately and in hot water. I've heard that boiling hot water has the same affect. Haven't tried it.

 

[goldensunriseranch]

First thing that came to mind is GOATS! I see others know that too! My goats love it and as long as you don't pet them afterwards and get the oils on yourself they are great for obliterating it. Unless it gets so high they can't reach it, like running up into a tree like I have. They keep it from spreading away from the tree though, eating all the leaves they can reach.

 

[Akane]

Roundup can last forever in the soil. Anyone who says it doesn't hasn't seen all the studies. Most serious gardeners I've talked to wish that roundup would be restricted more so not every home owner can use it for every little problem. Personally I wouldn't touch the stuff unless I had no choice. Also if you ever wish to list anything from your farm as organic it can have a 5-10year wait from the time you last applied roundup and other herbicides.

Goats and weed whackers would be my choice. Chop it all done a few years in a row and it will start to die. The poison ivy really wasn't so hard to kill. I just cut it down a couple times a year and it didn't really come back. For large areas and stubborn weeds I just get a sheet of black painters plastic or a tarp, throw it over the area, weigh it down with bricks, and walk away for a summer. It will cook and block the light to everything underneath it and by fall you have bare soil. Now bindweed is the only thing I haven't been able to kill. You have to keep it all cut down for 2years to kill the root and it pops back up every week. Stubborn stuff.

 

[mcfarlandteresa]

I've heard alcohol and Vodka are good killers as well. Might try that and see if it works. I know I plan on it. My son gets it really bad every year and I'm fixing to go on a killing spree!!

 

[dacjohns]

I would like to see those studies. Do you have references to them. Thanks.




If the OP has poison ivy like I do then herbicides might be the only way to go. I have vines as big around as my wrist and going to the tops of the trees. I really don't think that vinegar, boiling water, and goats would work. I'm also talking about acres to treat not just a few hundred or thousand square feet.

Those treatments might work on the smaller plants though.