Poison Ivy Control

“Leaves of three let ‘em be” is an old warning hikers and gardeners have been heeding for years. 

Poison ivy is the threat this chant describes and for allergic persons exposure means rash, oozing blisters, itching and swelling. Always covers legs, arms and hands when hiking through or gardening in areas suspected of containing poison ivy.

Wear protective clothing and waterproof gloves when managing poison ivy. Continually cutting plants back to the ground will take several years, but will eventually kill this weed.  Leave the poison ivy stems and leaves in place or in an out of the way location to decompose. 

Never burn poison ivy debris as the toxic oils can be carried in the smoke, inhaled, and damage your throat and lungs.

And always wash exposed clothing separately from other items and yourself right after exposure.

A bit more information: Control isolated patches of poison ivy with black plastic.  Edge the poison ivy infested area and cover with black plastic for several months or clear plastic for 6 to 8 weeks during the hottest months of the growing season.

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problems-pests-weeds poison-ivy

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