Uprooting Poison Ivy

Amanda M
by Amanda M
I have poison ivy growing along the side of my house. Every year I spray it, and it comes back 2-3 seasons. The vine where I previously sprayed is dead. Is there a way to get rid of it for good, like digging up a root, without getting it all over me?
  6 answers
  • 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) on Oct 27, 2012
    I wish I could tell you yes, but it is very difficult to get rid of Poison Ivy because of the underground runners. Pulling the runners will help, but you will still need to keep up a regular spray maintenance or it will be right back again.
  • Amanda M Amanda M on Oct 27, 2012
    How often should I be spraying the poison ivy in order to keep it under control?
  • 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) on Oct 28, 2012
    I would check at least once a month during the growing seasons for new sprouts.
  • Carla M Carla M on Oct 28, 2012
    It has taken me about 3 or 4 years to really kill all of it around my yard, I just kept spraying and spraying with weed killer, now it is mostly under control, Mainly in spring, and early summer spray like crazy. Really allergic to this stuff!!
  • Amanda M Amanda M on Oct 28, 2012
    Carla, all of us are highly allergic, and I'm trying to prepare the area for growing something more desirable. First priority is getting rid of the ivy. I am contemplating doing the spraying in conjunction with smothering.
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Oct 29, 2012
    It's definitely not a one-time process. If you can spray, wait a few days for the the herbicide to act, then cut the vine and paint the cut with full-strength herbicide, that may help. But be very careful when doing so. Good luck, Amanda.