The leaves will turn reddish in the spring, green in the summer, and yellow or orange in the fall. [2] X Research source Beyond those main characteristics, poison ivy plants can also vary slightly. For example, they may have smooth or jagged edges, and their texture can either look glossy or dull. When in doubt, avoid any plants that have the 3-leaf compound.
You should also carry a garbage bag with you to collect all the parts of the poison ivy plant.
Lifting too quickly can tear the roots and leave them behind, leading to unwanted regrowth. To prevent the plant oils from spreading, use a new plastic bag for each plant. If you’re struggling to remove larger plants, use a shovel to dig up their roots first and then pull them out.
Refill the bottle as needed during the spraying process.
Don’t spray the solution on a rainy day, since the rain will just wash it away.
Rinse your tools in mineral spirits to cleanse them properly.
If you catch the contact quickly and wash within 1 hour, you can sometimes limit the rash.
You can also apply non-prescription hydrocortisone to the area or take an antihistamine pill to help with itching and swelling. Although trying to resist the urge to scratch can feel like torture, it’s important to avoid irritating the rash further. Scratching can cause an infection, so try to distract yourself and soothe the skin with a cool washcloth instead.
You may need to repeat the boiling water technique several times to kill all of the roots.
To add an even stronger barrier, place cardboard underneath the sheet mulch or a layer of plywood over top of the sheet mulch. For example, you could cover the affected area with several layers of cardboard, then top it with about 1 foot (0. 30 m) of mulch. [19] X Research source
