The three-leafed, green (or red in the autumn) poison ivy plant grows low to the ground unless it climbs a tree or other structure. The middle leaflet is longer than the other two and may be toothed or smooth-edged, shiny or dull.
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“Poison ivy is slightly easier to manage in the winter, when it's leafless, though there are still irritants in the stems and branches,” says Michael Cook, owner of TruGreen Midsouth, a Mississippi and Louisiana lawn care company.
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To get rid of poison ivy roots, you can use a sharp trowel or a shovel. You can also cut off the vines or branches first with shears or pruners.
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This is the only way to protect your skin from the plant. Wear long sleeves, work boots, and heavy-duty rubber gloves. Duct tape the pants-boot gap for extra safety.
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According to the Farmers' Almanack, poison ivy has a complex root system, so removing the plants above ground without removing the roots will keep it growing.
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If herbicide-using is comfortable, use glyphosate.Gena Lorainne of Fantastic Services, a London horticulturist and planting expert, says glyphosate will kill ivy from the inside out.
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Dispose of poison ivy leaves and branches in heavy-duty plastic bags. Avoid burning it, which can release urushiol and irritate your eyes and lungs.
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Wash your gardening tools with degreaser, rubbing alcohol, or vinegar after removing poison ivy. Flip your clothes inside out while wearing rubber gloves, then wash them separately in your washer.
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