What is the best way to kill poison ivy? It is covering my bushes.

Robin
by Robin
  5 answers
  • Shoshana Shoshana on May 23, 2017

    Combining vinegar, salt and dawn soap in a spray bottle to saturate the plant, can help stop its growth.

  • Dennis Ryan Dennis Ryan on May 23, 2017

    If it is covering a shrub find the stem where it comes out of the soil and cut it. All the vine in the shrub will wilt and die. Leave it in the shrub. If you try and pull it out you could get a good case. If you have gloves try and pull up by the stem and root stub. Wash your hands and arms with soapy water IMMEDIATELY after this job, to remove any of the poison oil you may have on you.

    Next, you should "paint" the cut off stems stubs if you don't pull it up by the roots, with a small paint brush using the "Roundup" concentrate, (don't mix with water to dilute).

    Poison ivy is very resilient and will often grow back, if so repeat the painting process on new growth as soon as it appears.

    Remember ROUNDUP is a non selective herbicide that will kill or damage ANY plant it is applied to so do not spray near your shrub.

    Overtime when the old vine dries out the oil on the leaves will degrade and you can remove the dead vine from inside the shrub.


  • Beth Booth Beth Booth on May 23, 2017

    Even dead Po

  • Robin Robin on May 23, 2017

    Thanks

  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Aug 01, 2023

    3 cups white vinegar

    1/2 cup table salt

    1 tablespoon liquid detergent or soap (I use Dawn) for stick-to-itiveness.

    Directions

    1. Mix vinegar and salt until the salt is completely dissolved. Stir in liquid dish soap, and pour into a spray bottle.
    2. Spray onto the green growing leaves of the plants.
    3. Wait a week, then repeat on any survivors. Best time to apply: during a dry spell.

    Repeat as necessary.