Another Poison Ivy question...

johncotexas · #1 08/11/10, 07:14 PM

I understand that goats and herbicide work great for getting rid of it. I am just curious about being able to walk through the property without it getting all over me. The property is so big I would need gallons and gallons of chemicals to get rid of it. I will eventually get some goats or sheep but cannot currently guarantee their safety from predators.

In the winter, when the leaves have fallen off, is it safe to walk through the bare vines? And would that be a better time to clear some of it out?
Thanks for the advice in advance.

Judy in IN · #2 08/11/10, 08:11 PM

If it is a vine, it will never be safe. Poison Sumac is active even when winter is here. Ask me how I know.

Cattle eat poison oak (sumac) and Poison Ivy. Can you rent your pasture out to someone with cattle, or put cattle in there yourself?

Windy in Kansas · #3 08/11/10, 08:35 PM

I had excellent results with one chemical treatment. I understand about the volume of acreage and how much you have. In view of that I would recommend that you create an annual budget for the chemical and apply yearly what you feel you can afford. A quart of concentrate covers 1500 square feet.

I have seen no regrowth at all from what I sprayed just the one time. Money well spent.

Couldn't you at least apply it along trails in order to give yourself paths to walk?

johncotexas · #4 08/11/10, 08:49 PM

Great advice... could you recommend a good spray? I have been told to use the round-up poison ivy concentrate or the brush-be-gone.

Molly Mckee · #5 08/11/10, 09:37 PM

It is not safe in the winter, do not burn it, the smoke will contain oils and is often worse than the plant. Your dogs or other animals will get it on their coats and spread it to you, and if you pull it out carefully and take it to the dump the oil will be in the truck bed. Our son is very allergic--goats were the only thing that got rid of it for him, without him reacting.

Joshie · #6 08/12/10, 01:11 AM

Touching poison ivy at any time is asking for a rash. The safest way there is to handle it is to wear long sleeves, boots, jeans, hat, and gloves. Your best bet is to kill it or do as someone suggested and buy goats. You can never assure any animal's safety. As someone else said: DO NOT BURN IT! If you're allergic be very careful. It can kill. Nearly did me in when I was ten. And, no, I'm not exaggerating.

FunnyRiverFarm · #7 08/12/10, 08:32 AM

Goats love poison ivy but be aware that the oils can transfer from their fur to your skin...I think it's been two years since I've NOT had poison ivy. In the spring, summer, and fall I pick it up from the goats when I'm handling/milking them and in the winter I get it from handling firewood. I'm so used to having it that it really doesn't bother me anymore.

Windy in Kansas · #8 08/12/10, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johncotexas

Great advice... could you recommend a good spray? I have been told to use the round-up poison ivy concentrate or the brush-be-gone.

The product I used and found to be excellent was Scott's Roundup Poison Ivy Plus. I used the concentrate and mixed my own. Many stores stock it and while at Walmart a couple of weeks ago I noted they carry it. I don't remember if they had the concentrate or just the pre-mixed versions.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/agricul...32-oz--4220123

Main ingredients are glyphosate and triclopyr.

For excellent results which I don't think will disappoint you follow label directions as to when to apply. Actively growing, etc. That generally works best for all herbicides.

Txrider · #9 08/12/10, 11:57 AM

So does drinking the goats milk after it eats the ivy help with sensitivity?

You could always find someone like me who is not allergic to the stuff and pay em to go clear out the vines..

I wonder if there would be much of a market for that?

FunnyRiverFarm · #10 08/12/10, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Txrider

So does drinking the goats milk after it eats the ivy help with sensitivity?

You could always find someone like me who is not allergic to the stuff and pay em to go clear out the vines..

I wonder if there would be much of a market for that?

Drinking the milk hasn't reduced my sensitivity at all that I can tell. I wish it would! LOL! Like I said...I've had poison ivy pretty much constantly for years...

There's so much poison ivy here that it would cost a fortune to pay someone to pull it up...but someone with a smaller yard might be happy to pay for that service.

motdaugrnds · #11 08/12/10, 01:20 PM

Isn't the problem with using that Scott chemical that it kills "everything" it touches and not just the poison ivy/sumac? (What if the bad stuff is growing around and up onto a tree you want to keep?)

Windy in Kansas · #12 08/12/10, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motdaugrnds

Isn't the problem with using that Scott chemical that it kills "everything" it touches and not just the poison ivy/sumac? (What if the bad stuff is growing around and up onto a tree you want to keep?)

Yes you are correct to a point. When spraying ivy in trees keep the spray on the ivy leaves and off of the tree leaves. Probably the ivy will be leafed out along the vine on the trunk so spray it there. Worked for me anyway without killing my tree.

I did read one passage for one product that said to cut the vine off at 10 feet and spray only the lower area. As long as there are plenty of leaves to absorb the solution that should work.

Kazahleenah · #13 08/13/10, 06:02 AM

Fells Naptha (sp?) soap will wash the oil off you IF you wash right after exposure. (will also take it off clothes if shredded into the laundry.)