Killing Poison Ivy Safely and Effectively with Clorox Bleach

Killing Poison Ivy with Clorox

Poison ivy is a common nuisance plant found throughout much of North America. Contact with its leaves and stems causes an itchy, irritating rash in most people. Getting rid of poison ivy completely and preventing regrowth is key to enjoying your yard safely.

Clorox bleach is one effective option for killing poison ivy. The sodium hypochlorite in bleach disrupts plant proteins and damages plant tissues. When applied properly, it can fully eradicate poison ivy from your property.

How to Use Clorox on Poison Ivy

Here are some tips for using Clorox bleach to kill poison ivy:

• Wear gloves, long sleeves and pants to avoid skin contact with the plant.
• Mix 1 part Clorox bleach with 2 parts water in a spray bottle.
• Thoroughly wet all leaves, stems, and roots of the poison ivy plant with the diluted bleach solution.
• Wait at least 5 minutes before handling the plants further. This gives the bleach time to penetrate the plant tissues.
• After 5 minutes, scrub the poison ivy with a stiff brush to remove all plant parts from whatever it was growing on.
• Bag up all plant debris and discard far away from planting beds or lawns.
• Repeat this process as new growth appears until the poison ivy is eradicated.

When to Apply

For best results, spray the bleach solution directly on poison ivy plants during dry, sunny weather. This allows the bleach to dry and penetrate the leaves and stems without being washed away by rain.

Spray in the morning or late afternoon when the sun is not at its peak. Avoid very windy days which could blow the bleach solution onto your skin or desirable plants.

Safety Tips

Take proper safety precautions when using bleach on poison ivy:

• Wear protective clothing and goggles to avoid exposure.
• Work in calm weather to prevent drift.
• Use caution on slopes where the bleach could runoff.
• Keep children and pets away from treated areas until bleach dries.
• Avoid applying near water sources or drains.

Other Methods for Killing Poison Ivy

While bleach is very effective, there are some other options for removing poison ivy from your yard. Combining methods often leads to the best results.

Physical Removal

Manually digging up and removing poison ivy roots and stems by hand is one non-chemical control method. Use thick rubber gloves, long sleeves and pants to prevent rash-causing urushiol oil from contacting skin.

Dispose of all plant parts in thick plastic bags sealed tightly. Watch for regrowth from any remaining roots and repeat digging.

Smothering

Smothering poison ivy by covering it with materials like plywood, mulch or tarps can be effective. Deprive the plant of sunlight for several months during the growing season. Check regularly for any shoots emerging from the edges.

Goats or Pigs

Goats and pigs will readily eat poison ivy. Renting a small herd to graze in overgrown areas is an organic control method. Supervise closely and fence off any nearby gardens.

Herbicides

Certain herbicides like glyphosate (Roundup) and triclopyr (Brush Killer) work well on poison ivy. Follow label directions closely. Multiple applications are likely required. Exercise herbicide precautions near lawns, trees and gardens.

Flame Weeding

Using a propane torch to scorch and destroy poison ivy leaves and stems is an alternative to herbicides. Repeat as needed until the plant’s root system is depleted. Use extreme fire safety precautions.

Tips for Preventing Poison Ivy Regrowth

Getting rid of existing poison ivy is only half the battle. Preventing it from taking over your yard again requires diligence and monitoring.

Remove New Seedlings

Watch for poison ivy seedlings emerging in formerly infested areas of your landscape. Hand pull them as soon as they appear before the plants mature and spread.

Encourage Competition

Poison ivy thrives in areas of bare soil. Fill in spaces by planting competitive groundcovers, native plants or turfgrass. This hampers poison ivy's ability to colonize.

Edge Regularly

Use string trimmers or edging tools to maintain clean borders along fences, pathways and lawns. Don't let poison ivy encroach from surrounding areas.

Mulch Beds

Applying 2-3 inches of shredded bark or other organic mulch to garden beds smothers weeds. Replenish as needed to block light from reaching poison ivy seedlings.

Control Moisture

Poison ivy prefers evenly moist soils. Improve drainage in affected areas with French drains or diversion ditches. Allow soil to dry between waterings.

Don’t Compost

Avoid putting pulled poison ivy plants into compost piles. The urushiol oil could stick to the finished compost, causing irritation when handled.

How to Identify Poison Ivy

Being able to accurately identify poison ivy is key to effective removal. Familiarize yourself with its appearance during every season:

Leaves

Poison ivy leaves are compound with three almond-shaped leaflets. Leaves emerge red in spring then become green. Fall foliage is yellow, orange or red. Leaves grow alternately along thin, wiry stems.

Stems

New poison ivy stems are light green and hairy. Mature stems are brown or grayish and become woody and rope-like as they climb trees, fences and poles.

Flowers and Berries

Poison ivy flowers are small, greenish-white and bloom from May to July. Flowers mature into waxy, creamy-white berries in late summer that persist through winter.

Form

Poison ivy grows as a vine or trailing groundcover. It can spread as a shrub up to 3 feet tall if undisturbed. Identify and remove it in spring or summer before it grows woody.

Habitat

Look for poison ivy in a variety of environments including along forest edges, fields, fence lines, streambanks, and roadsides. It also readily invades landscaped areas.

Poison Ivy Lookalikes

Several non-toxic plants are often confused with poison ivy. Learn to distinguish these lookalikes to avoid unnecessary concern:

Virginia Creeper

Virginia creeper is a five-leaved ivy vine often mistaken for poison ivy. Unlike poison ivy, its tendrils have adhesive disks that help them grip surfaces.

Blackberry

Blackberry canes can resemble poison ivy stems. However, blackberries have serrated edged, toothed leaves arranged in clusters of 3-5 leaves.

Boxelder

Boxelder seedlings have compound leaves with three leaflets similar to poison ivy. Identify boxelder by its shiny, smooth red stems.

Fragrant Sumac

Fragrant sumac is a non-toxic shrub with trifoliate leaves like poison ivy. Unlike poison ivy, its leaves are serrated and emit a lemon scent when crushed.

What to Do If You're Exposed to Poison Ivy

If you suspect you've come in contact with poison ivy, act quickly to prevent or minimize the painful rash:

• Immediately wash exposed skin thoroughly with soap and cool water.
• Clean under nails with a brush to remove any lingering urushiol oil.
• Apply rubbing alcohol, degreasing dish soap or products like Tecnu to skin.
• Throw away contaminated clothing and tools; wash reusable items with hot water.
• Shower and wash hair to remove any stray oil.
• Use topical hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion and antihistamines to relieve itching.
• See a doctor for severe rashes or if the reaction worsens.

Preventing Poison Ivy Rash

When working outdoors around poison ivy, take preventive steps to avoid the misery of itchy blisters:

• Wear long sleeves, pants, boots and gloves.
• Apply barrier creams containing bentoquatam to exposed skin.
• Seal exposed skin in plastic wrap or waterproof tape.
• Thoroughly wash skin, tools, clothing and pets after contact.
• Recognize and avoid areas where poison ivy grows.

When to Call a Professional

Extensive poison ivy growth, recurring infestations or plants growing near sensitive areas may require professional treatment. Landscapers can apply high-strength herbicides or perform controlled burns.

For large rural acreages, goats provide an eco-friendly eradication option. Professionals use proper protective gear to minimize exposure risk.

Killing Poison Ivy Safely

Clorox bleach provides an effective DIY method for controlling poison ivy around the home landscape. Combine it with manual removal and good prevention to banish this hazardous plant from your property for good.

Take proper safety measures when using bleach or other chemicals on poison ivy. The irritation-free yard will be worth the effort.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.