Poison ivy - Ask Extension
Can poison ivy be eradicated when it is dormant from my perennial garden
Knowledgebase
Poison ivy #892237
Asked February 03, 2025, 10:49 AM EST
Can poison ivy be eradicated when it is dormant from my perennial garden
Franklin County Ohio
Expert Response
Good afternoon, thank you for your question. The only way to eradicate it while it is not actively growing is to pull it or dig it out. Pesticides will not work.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Hi Paul,
Unfortunately, poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) is still dangerous, even when it is not actively growing. The oil, called urishiol, that causes rashes and blisters, is present all the time in all parts of the plant, including the stems and roots. This means that even in the winter, handling the plants can spread the oil and cause skin reactions. It is very important to wear long waterproof gloves and be completely covered in washable clothing if you are going to try to remove poison ivy by hand. Avoid contact with skin, wear goggles to stop yourself from touching your face/eyes, and wash your clothing (and yourself) with soap immediately after working with the plants at any time of the year. (The gloves may be cleanable with rubbing alcohol, but you may just have to discard them to be on the safe side.) An overview of the removal process can be found here: https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/how-control-poison-ivy.
Poison ivy can be killed by several chemical agents, but please be aware that each of these has its own "best time" for application. Chemical herbicides cannot be used in winter, when the plant is not growing, because the plant will not take up the chemicals through the roots when it is dormant, and will not spread the chemicals throughout the plant to successfully kill it. You can find options for chemical treatments (and lots of other information about poison ivy) at this link: https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/poison-ivy/.
There are pros and cons to all methods of removal: Hand pulling has the advantage of protecting the desirable plants in your perennial garden, as compared with treating with chemicals, which may cause harm or death to desirable plants if the herbicide gets on those plants while you are trying to treat the poison ivy. However, treating with chemicals (provided you are following all label instructions and using proper protective equipment) can be less risky than hand pulling in terms of you getting a rash. Part of your decision will need to be based on how much poison ivy you have to tackle.
I hope this information is helpful! Please let us know if you have further questions.
Best,
Unfortunately, poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) is still dangerous, even when it is not actively growing. The oil, called urishiol, that causes rashes and blisters, is present all the time in all parts of the plant, including the stems and roots. This means that even in the winter, handling the plants can spread the oil and cause skin reactions. It is very important to wear long waterproof gloves and be completely covered in washable clothing if you are going to try to remove poison ivy by hand. Avoid contact with skin, wear goggles to stop yourself from touching your face/eyes, and wash your clothing (and yourself) with soap immediately after working with the plants at any time of the year. (The gloves may be cleanable with rubbing alcohol, but you may just have to discard them to be on the safe side.) An overview of the removal process can be found here: https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/how-control-poison-ivy.
Poison ivy can be killed by several chemical agents, but please be aware that each of these has its own "best time" for application. Chemical herbicides cannot be used in winter, when the plant is not growing, because the plant will not take up the chemicals through the roots when it is dormant, and will not spread the chemicals throughout the plant to successfully kill it. You can find options for chemical treatments (and lots of other information about poison ivy) at this link: https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/poison-ivy/.
There are pros and cons to all methods of removal: Hand pulling has the advantage of protecting the desirable plants in your perennial garden, as compared with treating with chemicals, which may cause harm or death to desirable plants if the herbicide gets on those plants while you are trying to treat the poison ivy. However, treating with chemicals (provided you are following all label instructions and using proper protective equipment) can be less risky than hand pulling in terms of you getting a rash. Part of your decision will need to be based on how much poison ivy you have to tackle.
I hope this information is helpful! Please let us know if you have further questions.
Best,