Poison ivy is becoming more virulent. According to scientists, it loves warmer temperatures and the CO2-rich air caused by climate change. Found in every state but Alaska and Hawaii, it adapts to a variety of settings like fields, forests, beaches and mountain tops. It prefers moist woodland environments, creeping along fence rows, pastures, and pretty much anywhere birds and deer visit and deposit the seeds.
The oil found on its “leaves of 3 let it be” is a danger to many people who are sensitive/allergic to it, causing horribly itchy blisters and welts. Called urushiol, it is found in every part of the plant, including the stem, leaves, roots and berries. Even when the leaves turn red in the fall or die in the winter, they contain oil. Their flowers appear in spring and berries ripen to a grayish-white in late summer and last into winter.
Need to get rid of it? You can simply keep cutting poison ivy back to remove it. Continually removing the above-ground portion will eventually kill the plant, but you must be persistent — and handle it carefully, wearing gloves. It may take several seasons.You can also diminish the growth of poison ivy in your garden by covering it with black plastic for several months during the hottest months of the growing season. This method deprives the plant of sunlight and the high heat effectively kills it. After removing the plastic carefully, check the area for any remaining growth and remove it as necessary.
When working to eradicate poison ivy, cover all of your skin. Wear waterproof gloves. Safety glasses are a good idea, too. Closed-toed shoes and long socks are also a must.
Stay on task. Be careful not to touch anything else so you don’t transfer oils to other parts of your yard or body. Do not rub your eyes or touch your face while working.
Wash clothing and tools. The oil from the poison ivy plant can transfer onto anything it touches, even your pets and clothing. Be very careful when removing your gloves, shoes and garments, and wash them immediately. Wash your gardening tools and gloves with rubbing alcohol or hot soapy water to remove the plant’s irritating oil.
Goats can help rid unwanted poison ivy, but require special handling. The ingested urushiol oil is destroyed by acid in the goat’s stomach, so their milk is still safe to drink.
NEVER burn poison ivy, oak or sumac, or wood with these plants on it. Even dead or dried vines release urushiol, which can cause serious respiratory distress if inhaled, or even fatal airway swelling.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the fastest way to treat poison ivy is to immediately wash skin with a degreasing soap (like Dawn) and cold water to remove urushiol oil, followed by applying hydrocortisone cream and taking oral antihistamines such as Benadryl or Claritin to curb itching. For severe reactions, a doctor-prescribed steroid (prednisone) is the fastest cure.