Poison Ivy

[Pond Creek Farm]

I checked on one of the hives that I placed this year and noticed poison ivy growing around it.  This was not there when the hive was placed.  I have to get rid of this stuff, but I cannot touch it.  I am quite sensitive to the oil.  Any ideas?  I was going to spray round up around the hive, but this seemed like a bad idea. 

[jeremy_c]

I had poison ivy on one corner of my house. I sprayed round up on it and it died for the year but it's back this year as though nothing had happened. Doing research, about the only way to get rid of it is dig up it's roots. I too am very sensitive to it and have not solved the problem on the corner of my house, sorry.

http://landscaping.about.com/cs/weedsdiseases/a/poison_ivy_3.htm contains some ideas of getting rid of it as well, another method is smothering it.

Jeremy

[sc-bee]

I have asked the same question about round-up in the past. I have been told --- don't worry --- spray it. 

[HomeBru]

From my experience, Roundup and Weed-B-Gone are too weak. It takes 2-3 years of attention to beat it back. Go with Ortho Brush-B-Gone or their Ivy killer (can't remember the name). The active ingredient is different and more focused on woody plants than green weeds. It takes two to four applications as the ivy keeps trying to come back depending on the size. Be careful, tho. Even after it's dead, the oils that cause issues will still be around so don't think you can just pick it up and not catch it! Wear some heavy vinyl gloves you can throw away when you're done.

J-

[DaveKow]

I have read and it worked for me.  Spray in the fall.  Something about when the plant is about to go dormant, it takes the roundup down to the roots.

As far as roundup around the hives, I have been to chicken to spray.  I am afraid of getting over spray on my bees.

As you can see, they sure need it.

[iddee]

Roundup or similar likely won't hurt the bees if the ivy isn't in bloom.

Diesel fuel worked great before they outlawed it.

[Pond Creek Farm]

I have diesel fuel too.   :evil:

[asprince]

A woody plant killer will work better than Roundup. Add a little dish washing detergent to the mix. It will help the plant killer stick better to the leaves.

Being blond, blue eyed, and pale skinned, take my advise. If you get it on your skin, wash the area immediately. If you break out don't try to doctor it with OTC ointments, go to the Dr. and get a shot. Works fast.  

Steve

[bassman1977]

Wish I could help you guys out.  I could roll around in the stuff all day long and not get the rash.   :lol:

[asprince]

I can tell you some horror stories. When I was a 9 years old, I had it so bad that I had to be hospitalized.

Steve

[manfre]

Wear long sleeves, put on latex type gloves and then rip it out with a plastic bag. When you're done, wash your clothes, arms and hands with tecnu

[Pond Creek Farm]

If I get it, I can think of only one word:  prednisone. 

[Grandma_DOG]

From my experience, Roundup and Weed-B-Gone are too weak. It takes 2-3 years of attention to beat it back. Go with Ortho Brush-B-Gone or their Ivy killer (can't remember the name). The active ingredient is different and more focused on woody plants than green weeds. It takes two to four applications as the ivy keeps trying to come back depending on the size. Be careful, tho. Even after it's dead, the oils that cause issues will still be around so don't think you can just pick it up and not catch it! Wear some heavy vinyl gloves you can throw away when you're done.

J-

I can concur with Brush-B-Gone, it was recommended to me by a professional poison ivy removal guy. He said Roundup was worthless.

[wildbeekeeper]

brush-b-gone, ivy killer....any product that has the herbicide 2,4-D in it will get rid of poison ivy.  Sometime Triclopyr is added to the mix and sold as such (I think BRUSH -B-GONE has this)  Anyway, Read the labels and look to see if it at least has 2,4-D IN IT...if it does your good to go......it may require a feew treatments, but it will do more harm on actively growing plants.....you can apply now and again in the fall beofre the first frosts as the plant is taking in nutrients, when you spray it it will draw the chemical into the roots and help destroy its system.  Just dont apply if rain is in the forecast for that day...it needs about 6 hours or so to become really effective!  Ive used Spectracide
1.3-Gallon EzSpray Poison Ivy & Poison Oak Brush Killer from Lowes and it has 2,4-D in it and has worked great.

[tiggerp]

Wear long sleeves, put on latex type gloves and then rip it out with a plastic bag. When you're done, wash your clothes, arms and hands with Technu

While Roundup is fairly innocuous by most reports, this is a surefire way of getting rid of it. Technu is good stuff!

[Keith13]

Salt the ground with table salt
You can get a pound for about a buck then just pour it on the ground above the roots problem solved no overspray to worry about

Keith

[gaucho10]

One word of advise...after you remove the poison ivy DO NOT THROW IT IN THE FIRE!  The smoke will get you.
If you get poison ivy on your skin, salty water (a dip in the ocean) will dry it pretty good in one day.

[dpence]

Indeed, don't burn the stuff.  I can remember getting it in my eyes when I was a kid from smoke of a burning fence row.  Funny thing, I am less susceptible to the stuff now, or I am getting more aware.  I have it around some of my hives over on a farm, going to try the salt thing.  I know rock salt will kill out the grass where you dump it from making ice cream...LOL  Yum...homemade ice cream....I'm hungry.

David

[jeremy_c]

Indeed, don't burn the stuff.  I can remember getting it in my eyes when I was a kid from smoke of a burning fence row.

You're lucky. The real danger is getting it in your lungs when burning. Some people have died from situations like the, others have had lungs collapse. When you hear of it it is normally from someone who is burning their clippings, not knowing that poison ivy was part of them.

Jeremy

[Mason]

If you know you have been exposed wash immediately with regular soap and water.  As long as you wash really good within about 15-20 minutes most times you will not have a reaction.