“Leaves of three… run as far away as you possibly can.” The little ditty about poison ivy might not exactly go like that (it’s really “Leaves of three, let it be.”)  but you get the picture. With my recent trip back to Ohio, I quickly remembered how poison ivy grows pretty much everywhere back there. I was actively avoiding it since I blister badly and can’t help but scratch it.

One of the benefits of living in Montana is we don’t have much poison ivy out here. There are patches, but for the most part, it is few and far between. But for those who live with it, how do you rid it from your landscape without handling it? This is one of those weedy pests that you simply have to spray to knock it out. So, it’s important to know what to use and how to best apply it. 

Spraying Poison Ivy

With all of the herbicides out there, the most effective option for poison ivy is a brush killing product that contains triclopyr. Check the labels to ensure it’s part of the makeup the product. Of course, follow the instructions for the best results. Choose a day that is dry, since you don’t want a rain to wash away the poison, and roughly between 60 to 85 degrees F. You can spray poison ivy at pretty much any time of the summer, as long as it is actively growing. Just don’t spray it when the leaves are starting to turn red in the fall. It won’t take up the herbicide as readily. Then prepare for battle since this isn’t a project to take lightly. 

Proper Attire

If you are allergic to poison ivy and break out in the classic rash, wear some sort of coveralls or at least long sleeved shirts and pants, along with gloves that don’t allow any skin to be exposed to the oil. Eye protection and a respiratory mask are also good ideas to avoid potential blistering in these sensitive areas. 

If poison ivy is growing in a patch where you don’t care what else you will kill, spray the patch focusing on covering the leaves as much as possible. Also, if it’s growing up a tree, it’s more of a challenge, since a broad based brush killer will harm, or even kill, trees. If this is the situation, you’ll want to carefully paint the leaves with the triclopyr mix being particularly careful not to drip any on the trunk or leaves. Don’t worry about killing the ivy all with one application, either. Even if you applied the herbicide absolutely perfectly, poison ivy is exceptionally tough. You will almost certainly have to treat it multiple times. 

When the batch has died back after the first go ‘round, suit up again and carefully clear away the dead ivy bagging it and placing it in a trash bag. Do not burn it! I can’t stress this enough. The resin in the poison ivy, even if it is dried and dead, can carry in the smoke. More than once people cleaning up the yard ended up with a terrible reaction. It’s especially unpleasant if you inhale the smoke. 

If, or I should say, when, the poison ivy more grows back, spray it again. It might take a couple of seasons, but if you are vigilant you can gain a handle on it where you don’t have to be afraid to work in your yard.