Best Methods for Killing Poison Ivy
The best poison ivy killer for most people is called Ivy Plus Plus. This product has been proven to work on most types of poison ivy. To kill poison ivy quickly use an herbicide specifically formulated to target the plant. Apply the herbicide carefully, to avoid contact with non-target areas. Complete control may take up to three weeks, with repeated applications sometimes necessary.
Most Effective Herbicides
The most effective herbicides are Roundup or Triclopyr-based ones like Garlon 4 Ultra. Crossbow emerges as the winner for killing ivy and brush. Crossbow works faster than Roundup’s 7-14 day wait time. Additionally, Crossbow’s active ingredients make it extremely effective against brush.
Proper Application and Additional Tips
If you want to eradicate poison ivy, use an herbicide with glyphosate, triclopyr, or one containing 2,4-D amine, dicamba, and mecoprop. Read the labels carefully to avoid killing desirable plants. Chemical herbicides with triclopyr or glyphosate kill poison ivy the fastest. A single application won’t permanently kill plants. Apply to new growth.
Rubbing alcohol can remove the urushiol oil from skin and surfaces. Carry alcohol wipes when hiking for prompt application after exposure.
Roundup Poison Ivy Plus can effectively kill tough weeds including poison ivy. Follow label instructions for optimum control, reapplying every three months.
Bleach dries out and shrivels plant leaves and stems but won’t kill roots. Poison ivy is extremely resilient. Triclopyr is a highly effective herbicide for controlling poison ivy and woody vines.
Glyphosate slowly kills English ivy. Spray in late fall or early winter when dormant. Roundup Concentrate Poison Ivy Plus kills even the toughest weeds and invasive vines like kudzu and wild blackberry.
Dissolve one cup salt in a gallon of water with dish soap to create a spray solution for poison ivy. This is effective short-term but will require future treatments. Try cutting ivy vines and treating with glyphosate weed-killer to stop fence damage.
How to Permanently Kill Poison Ivy
The best way to kill poison ivy permanently is to use a herbicide specifically made for it, such as Roundup Poison Ivy Plus. This product works faster than alternatives, with results often visible in just 24 hours. One bottle can treat around 400 square feet. For smaller infestations, mix one cup salt, one tablespoon vinegar, and one tablespoon dish soap per gallon of water. Spray liberally on plants. While fast, this homemade spray likely requires repeat applications.
Poison ivy is resilient, so combining chemical and mechanical removal works best. Start by manually digging out plants, roots and all, then treat the area with herbicide. Triclopyr products like Garlon 4 are highly effective. Manual removal alone often fails since broken root fragments can resprout.
Skin Protection Tips
For skin exposed to poison ivy, rubbing alcohol can remove the toxic urushiol oil that causes the rash. Always carry alcohol wipes when hiking to allow prompt application after contact. To dry oozing blisters, use skin protectants containing zinc oxide or calamine. While not a cure, these provide relief until the rash runs its course.