Return to the Alabama Gardening Forum
| Post a Follow-Up
Poison Ivy?
| | |
Posted by chelsea_gardener 7b (terrymclemore@gmail.com) on Fri, Apr 14, 06 at 8:34
We are buying twelve acres and I think the property has a lot of posion ivy. I come from the Northwest where we have poison oak, so I'm not real familiar with poison ivy. It appears to be growing up some large trees too. So far, my husband and I have not come down with a rash, even though we have been tromping through the woods. Is it more likely to cause a rash after it becomes larger? I have grandkids coming this summer and it is even coming up in some of the lawn areas.
When is the best time to treat it and how? Do I paint a herbicide onto the new shoots?
Thanks for your help:)
Terry |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Poison Ivy?
| | |
I seem to find it if its anywhere around. Go to the drug store ask for Zanfel and the first sign of it on you follow the directions and get keeps it from spreading all over you. This stuff works great about$40.00 a tube.
Jill |
RE: Poison Ivy?
| | |
| I have learned that there is a herbicide sold at Jacksonville co-op, and other places probably, called Cornerstone herbicide. It is expensive, $75 for two and one half gallons, but it is supposed to be very effective. You might call and check out this product. |
RE: Poison Ivy?
| | |
i find it is easy to kill with commonnly available
non-selective herbicides such as roundup. spray the foliage as it emerges in spring or anytime it is actively growing. i have used a long-handle axe to cut the trunks of large vines growing up trees and spray the new growth near the ground when it re-sprouts. just be careful to not touch the axe blade. you have to watch for new seedlings if you have a mature, flowering vine. the birds eat the seeds it produces and spread them about. |
RE: Poison Ivy?
| | |
| Brush-B-Gone works better for me than Round-up on PI. With either, you may have to apply more than once. I have taken an old paint brush and 'painted' it on full strength in a couple of spots. It will take a while to totally get rid of it in your selected areas. I have found stray bits in foundation beds even after 6 years. It is similar to poison oak in reaction, and you can distinguish the large vines growing up trees by the hairy appearance, even in the absence of leaves. Jeff's method using an axe should work for you but heed what he says about cleaning the blades. I have used large pruning shears or a pruning saw to cut through vines. There is also a prescription gel that you can get called Clobetasol Propionate. Had not heard of Zanfel, but will check it out. Is it put on the rash? May be something like the prescription stuff. Some people react worse than others; DH had to get a cortisone shot a few years ago after it got so bad. After exposure outside, I recommend a shower as soon as possible and scrub any exposed arms, legs etc with a product that has some grit to it. A lot of people swear by Octagon soap (my husband keeps a bar in the barn to wash with) or Lava soap. Wash any clothing in hot water. It's hard to get rid of the oil on work gloves, etc, so keep that in mind too. And do be careful about burning the vines as it can be inhaled. I didn't mean to just run on but I have. Good luck. |
RE: Poison Ivy?
| | |
Everyone has been giving you good advice on how to get rid of it and how to treat it if you get contaminated with it, but no one has helped identify it except the hairy vines.
If it has three leaves per cluster very similar to the poison oak, then it IS poison Ivy. If it has five leaves in a cluster, similar to the poison oak leaves then it is the harmless Virginia Creeper.
We do have poison oak here too but not as prevalent or aggressive as the ivy. |
RE: Poison Ivy?
| | |
| Hey there! I have to step up and put in my two cents worth because I am the queen of poison ivy. If it is anywhere in the vicinity, I will get it. Of course, I live the whole spring in the woods, so I get it every year. First, buy some Ivy Block. You can get it over-the-counter for about $7. You put it on BEFORE you are infected. If you do not take this step and you think you have been exposed, wash off with rubbing alcohol or Ivy Wash immediately, also availbable OTC. The rubbing alcohol works just as well. Then wash in LOTS of cold water. No soap necessary. If you still break out, a VERY HOT PROLONGED shower will stop the itching for hours. When you first turn on the hot water, you will itch intensely. Stay put. If you stay there for several minutes, the histamines will be loosend, and you will not itch for several hours. In fact, I may take a shower twice a day, and have total relief. I hope this helps. Deb |
RE: Poison Ivy?
| | |
- Posted by cembh zn8 AL (My Page) on
Sat, Apr 15, 06 at 16:01
| Please remember this! If you should burn it in brush piles DO NOT let the smoke get in your eyes. It won't kill you but you might wish it had. |
RE: Poison Ivy?
| | |
| Good point, tedp. I just figured Terry had already identified PI by the leaves, but maybe not. PI leaves are also more pointed than PO leaves. PI leaves usually have red veins, especially when more mature. I also forgot to answer the question about when it can cause a rash. You actually can get the rash any time of year even when the leaves aren't apparent. I've had it as early as January when I was clearing a wooded spot and pulling up roots. You can't be sure what you're pulling up. Could be honeysuckle or PI, and a couple of days later you've got a rash. I don't get it too bad myself...mainly on my inner arms where the skin is more tender. And cembh emphasized the smoke in the eyes, not just the lungs. Very true. |
RE: Poison Ivy?
| | |
Thanks to all of you for your timely responses. I used the Hortiplex pictures to identify the poison ivy. My husband was very doubtful that it was PI until I pointed it out to him. So far, neither of us have gotten a rash, but we've just been looking at it. Now I have to get busy and treat it. I used to get PO as a child and I have a granddaughter coming from Hawaii to visit in June, so I want to protect her. I remember this kid in our neighborhood had it so bad that his whole head blew up like a balloon and he was very ill.
Thanks for recommending the products that have helped you. I'll probably run out and buy them all, just in case!!
Happy spring gardening. Terry |
Post a Follow-Up
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Alabama Gardening Forum
|
|
|
