Poison Ivy

[Finch]

I don't know how to get rid of the plants, but I do know that if I am physically exposed to this vile plant I take a shower IMMEDIATELY, washing with the old fashioned laundry/bar soap Phels Naptha. It can prevent the rash, or dry up an existing case of the itchies.

 

[Bailey]

To kill out poison ivy try planting virginia creeper right with it- (don't confuse it with poison sumac-)
It has replaced the noxious weed on the trees in my front yard.

A trip to the hospital/drs office- was a regular thing for me too- finally figured out I was getting it off the dog.
Try dusting with DE before traipsing out around it-
I wonder if an application of DE to the plant would absorb the urisol enough to dispose of it..?? I could try but... no

Always remember to wear long sleeves, long pants, gloves. When finished, turn them insideout when you take them off. - put them into the washer and head for the shower- I spray down with a strong bleach solution then do an all over shampoo- without using a cloth, brush, loofa etc. I've had outbreaks around scrapes, cuts etc. just a good foamy lather and rinse off then powder-
The naturapathic pills do work (for me ) as do cornstarch baths once you get it.

As for the removal- goats are tops- but don't leave them around your blueberry bushes too long. I have found they will eat anything especially if the experts say they won't.

DO NOT BURN !

Best o' luck with your PI - hope you can find a solution that will not negatively impact your plants and soil.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

I catch it when it flowers in early spring and the pollen is carried on the wind. When I was a kid we used to get shots to help prevent it. Asked my allergist why they don't give those shots anymore, said that more people died from the shots than from the poison ivy!!

The Phels Naptha soap really does work!! Was out in the woods getting some bamboo, tripped & fell into one of the biggest patches I've ever seen. I just knew I was toast. Hauled my bamboo back home (about a mile thru the woods) and about 30 min later washed up with the soap & the garden hose. (Summertime in the south, many of us have taken a bath/shower in the hose as a kid, lol) I didn't even get one bump!! Everytime I work out in the yard now I wash up (all exposed parts)with it before I come in the house.

Wondering if the "recipe" could use a solution of the soap instead of liquid detergent. All it's being used for is a surfactant (to make the vinegar & salt stick)

 

[ChickieDee]

I really need to get that soap. I'm itching right now. I pulled a tiny piece out of my perennial bed three days ago. It was so small I decided to yank it instead of spray it. Will I ever learn?
Dee

 

[justusnak]

Why cant our chickens EAT IT!!?? LOL Now THAT would be great!!

 

[PurpleChicken]

Poison Ivy is evil. I used to get it BAD as a kid but then I lost sensitivity to it. Well, last month we cut down and chipped a bunch of trees. I ended up it the Emergency room from the infection I got from scratching it. We're talking shots, IV's and all kinds of useless advice.

My solutions:
1-Although I hate chemicals I do keep a bottle of Ortho Poison Ivy killer around and use it sparingly. It's good for controling growth.
2-A dedicated poison ivy shovel to cut down new growth, especially in the dog poop zone. I just cut it at the dirt line to control it.
3-Gasoline-My Dad's old trick. NOT FOR BURNING!!! - Gas will kill the plant and evaporates quickly thereby not contaminating the soil.
4-A tarp. Cover the area with a tarp (NEVER TOUCH THE TARP AGAIN!!!). Let the sun bake it. Nothing survives this but it doen't poison anything.

I'm going to try and experiment with mulch and weed barriers. My dogs insist on pooping in one spot on our property and only on old leaves where poison ivy loves to grow. I raked it out once and the dogs almost exploded.

 

[DixieByrdRN]

Just an FYI about after you get it... my daughter got it a few weeks ago and a friend told me about ZENFEL it is a cream that you get at the drug store (I got ours at the drug dept at Walmart). It is aboot 35 dollars, but I swear it is a miracle. It has some gritty substance in it to get through your skin to the poison oils and it binds with the oils and you wash it off. Seriously one time and she was better. Now my neighbor had a horrible case and it she didn't use it until weeks after and it didn't helped her, but my daughters was done in time I guess. OK I know I sound like an ad, but it is good stuff. By the time I would have paid the MD copay and listen to her scream over a shot, I figured I had paid for it. I only used one dose and it has 15 I think. Anyway, it is worth a try. Now as far as killing the stuff before it gets to you.....

 

[mom'sfolly]

I was just watching something last night that had an organic poison ivy killer. To a gallon of pickling vinegar (must be at least 10%vinegar) add 1 cup orange oil, and a couple of tablespoons of dish soap. You use it as a spray for the poison ivy. I don't know if it works. Poison Ivy is the only thing that I use Roundup on. I think I was watching Central Texas Gardener.

 

[KrisRose]

My skin is crawling just reading these posts. Sorry I have no advice to give. Had poison ivy once which is one time to many!!!

 

[poppycat]

I break my strictly organic rules for Poisen Ivy and use Roundup on it. It has sent me to the ER too many times as well as swelled my eyes shut for junior prom. (20 some years ago and I still havn't forgiven it) My husband isn't too sensitive to it though so we kill it with Roundup, and he pulls it out with a pair of rubber gloves and long sleeved shirt that dosn't get used for anything else.