Hi,

It was dormant in the winter but you are not immune to it. A few very lucky people are not bothered at all but the majority of folk are. The first thing I would recommend doing would be to spray it with Round-Up, Killex or some kind of weed killer. You want to kill the plant right down into the root area. Pulling it out may still leave roots that can regrow. The weed killers now are locked up in some stores for the larger containers. I would ask a sales person for assistance and get a large container. You may need to spray more than once.

Once you've determined the plants are dead may I suggest going to Canadian Tire or some place that sells those disposable full body suits (guys get them for doing messy jobs to keep their clothing clean) and wear the suit and gloves. It's the oil in the plants that can get onto clothing and that clothing when washed can spread to whatever is in the wash. Dig the plants out once dead, put into garbage bags and not compost bags. Throw the disposable suit out. Wash you garden tools well (wear rubber gloves) and wipe them down with rubbing alcohol (something that breaks up oil). Don't forget your footwear will also need washing.

You really want to make sure the plants are dead, dead, dead especially since kids roll and play all over. Another thing you can do once all of that clearing is done is to lay down a few layers of landscape fabric and put mulch on top as a barrier to help deter any future growth and prevent your son and kids from coming into contact with any possible plant residue.

I hope this helps. You really need to kill the poison ivy right into the roots to eradicate it. And be diligent to check the area over the summer and next year for any possible regrowth.

Good luck with this,
Peggy

Not worth the risk (going in unprotected like mcpeg describes,) IMO. The oil (urishiol) can still be present even on dormant plants and dead plants. You can not know from that single experience, or any other experience, whether or not you will get a rash the next time you touch it. There is not agreement whether repeated exposures strengthen one's immunity, or erode it. Testimonials support both so the answer is likely that both can occur unpredictably.

Without seeing a pic of the area you're dealing with, it's hard to be very specific, but what you described makes me think that a smothering method (probably heavy cardboard) could be helpful in establishing control.

A PI rash really is agony!

Thank you purpleinopp. I posted some pictures in the Woodlands forum if you want to check them out. I am trying to smother it with black heavy duty trash bags in one area, but some of it I will have to pull out....Wish me luck!

You're welcome. Good luck!!