There are only two ways to eradicate Poison Ivy, Oak, or Sumac and the only accepted organic method is to mechanically grub it out. This link to Michigan State Universities web site on Poison Ivy control wil provide more information. Because the dead leaves still contain urushiol, the oil that causes the skin rash, it is probably not a good idea to spray anyway.

Here is a link that might be useful: MSU on Poison Ivy

Down here we use vinegar as a foliar spray to take out the leaves. As new leaves come out you can spray them. Eventually the plant will die from lack of photosynthesis. If you are in a bigger hurry, you can turn goats loose on it. They will eat it down to the ground and keep it there.

Also, if you get it, an organic method of getting rid of it is to apply Tea Tree Oil. Available at the superstores and just about anywhere else. I had never had it in my life until 2 yrs. ago. I bought everything OTC available and nothing worked until I tried Tea Tree Oil--the cheapest method of all. It started drying it up immediately. It's also good for shingles and many other things.

Washing with Tecnu after exposure will also nip an attack in the bud - IF you use it within a couple of hours after exposure. Seemingly, you can also use it as a coating before exposure - according to citations from power-line workers.

Thanks for the tips everyone!

dirt man

I am always somewhat bemused by these "organic" questions. Kimmsr says "only accepted organic method is to mechanically grub it out" then dchall_san_antonio suggests goats.

My family, subsistance farmers in a remote loacation a half century ago, used goats. Why are goats not "organic".

This is why forums are so great; you get ideas from people who are thinking a little differently from each other. We react to key words and sometimes focus too tightly.

Goats will eat the plants but will not dig up the roots so more plants will simply grow again, unless the roots are dug out. If you can leave that area as goat pasture for several years then probably since the roots are not getting the nourishment they need from the plant those roots will die.

My brother bought me 3 spray bottles of 'Natura Weed-A-Tak, Organic weed and grass killer' to fight the poison ivy in my yard. It was getting quite pricey, I finally told him to stop. I tried pulling it out first, but of course got poison ivy mess all over me. Hadn't thought to duct tape my gloves to my shirt sleeves, so got it on my wrists and then spread it around. Hence wanting to move into the spray method.

Marcia

Those long plastic bags that newspapers come in when it rains - if you are sufficiently urban to have paper delivery - will cover arms very well. You can also use a largish garbage bag, grabbing the vine with the inside (your hand on the outside), pulling and then dropping the nasty thing inside the bag. When it's as full as you want to deal with, seal it up and trash it.

I am sure you already know to NEVER burn poison ivy, as the oil that you react to will float in the smoke. You, and others, can end up in the hospital with a bad case of poison ivy in your lungs from breathing it.

My sister used to get poison ivy a couple of times per winter - they had a wood stove as supplementary heat, near Rhinebeck, NY. The trees would have PI vines on them and even in winter, she could get enough of the oil to suffer. She could react even to the bark where the stuff had grown, so some people can be VERY reactive ti it.

I battle it every year. Recently when I was reviewing an Acres, USA, book about what weeds tell you about your soil I noticed that it said poison ivy indicated low calcium levels. Wondering if anyone has tried using ag lime in an attempt to correct minerals in the area where it grows? I amy try that this spring....

The way I prefer to eradicate PI is to block off 1-2 hours and pull as much of it up as I can, wearing a long sleeve shirt and gloves. Immediately afterward I change shirts and wash with Tecnu. Pulling it up will get lots of roots - especially runners - but not all. I'll go back in a month and pull up more shoots where the roots have sent up new leaves. With persistence you can get it under control ad stop it from spreading with minimal rash. Those who are hyper-sensitive can use a hoe to get the roots, but the key is to go back and nail it again and again, until the root's energy reserves are tapped.

And then after you've "eliminated" it, the birds drop seeds and bring you more. All you can do is attempt to keep it at bay.