What Kills Poison Ivy?
The best poison ivy killer eliminates poison ivy down to the root. What makes poison ivy challenging to destroy is that it has to be eliminated down to the root. But, killing down to the roots is easier said than done.
For example, if you try to pull it out, it causes a severe reaction that leads to an itchy rash. In this sense, using a chemical compound would be a more effective way to kill poison ivy.
We are gardening enthusiasts who’ve spent enough time researching the best way to deal with stubborn weeds in your yard. In our research, we reviewed the best poison ivy killer spray, and we found BioAdvanced 704630D Brush Killer is the best overall poison ivy spray.
However, different sprays are designed to work best in different scenarios. So, this comprehensive review covers the seven best poison ivy killers. Let’s dig in!
What’s Poison Ivy Look Like?
Poison ivy is a notorious plant that causes itchy, blistery rashes that grows in different parts globally. The plant grows in forests, wetlands, beaches, parks, and yards. Moreover, the plant prefers partial sunlight, thriving in distributed lands.
There are two types of poison ivy, eastern poison ivy, and western poison ivy. The two grow in different geographic ranges, but their looks are similar. Moreover, where the ranges overlap, the two usually interbreed. Both types spread along the ground, but the eastern type also climbs trees, fences, shrubs, and other structures.
The poison ivy leaf has a small leaf, and its base is attached to a stalk. Alternatively, there is a small branch connected to the main poison ivy. The poison ivy leaves are twice longer as they are wide. Moreover, the leaves may be smooth-edged or may have lobes, and the two sides may be symmetrical or not.
In terms of color, the leaves could be green or red, dull or shiny. The plants could have flower buds, flowers, or berries in thick bunches close to the vine.
Poison ivy loses leaves during winter and grows new ones during spring. When poison leaves are young, they are dark red and shiny but gradually turn green and less glossy with time. Mature leaves usually have a pointed tip, but new leaves have a rounded tip.
Its leaves are typically green during the summer, and it may have clusters of light green berries. On the other hand, the leaves change from green to having red, yellow, and orange shades.
Does Weed Killer Kill Poison Ivy?
Yes, a weed killer is effective against poison ivy. However, you might have to use an increased concentration per manufacturer instructions. Additionally, poison ivy has an extensive loan system meaning you might have to use multiple herbicide applications to kill poison ivy plants effectively.
As you look for a weed killer, consider one that contains glyphosate. This herbicidal ingredient is applied directly to poison ivy plants. You will get the best results if you use it on a warm and sunny day when plants are actively growing.
Another essential chemical is 2,4-D which is usually sold alone or mixed in herbicides. The chemical is slightly effective in controlling poison ivy. If you find a product that contains 2,4-D mixed with dicamba and triclopyr, you will get better control of poison ivy.
How to Stop Poison Ivy from Growing Back
If you want to get rid of poison ivy from your garden for good, here is a straightforward plan you can follow:
Delineate the Affected Area
Eradicating poison ivy is not a cakewalk. Therefore, you must look at the affected area and decide if necessary. If the affected area is too big, it might not be realistic to get rid of it. For example, if it is a forest area, can you leave it there?
In this sense, consider sticking to sites where humans use them frequently. For instance, only attempt to remove that encroaching area you use.
Eradicate Poison Ivy
Using a chemical herbicide offers you the best chance of eradicating poison ivy. While you might fancy using other approaches, they might not be as effective.
Therefore, apply the chemical herbicide directly to the foliage using the highest safe concentration as instructed by the manufacturer. Using this approach maximizes the herbicide’s effectiveness while minimizing repeat applications.
Avoid using persistent herbicides that can poison your garden. Choose a still, dry day to spray the herbicide.
Sheet Mulch
To ensure poison ivy does not return, sheet mulch the area after the second step. Besides that, it improves the soil and prepares it for planting. What is sheet mulching?
Sheet mulching involves covering an area with several layers of cardboard. After that, top it with around two feet (61 centimeters) of wood chips. Allow it to sit for a season. This approach uses the sun to choke and solarize any remaining poison roots.
Put Physical Barriers
If poison ivy plants crawl into your living space from the edge of a forest, it will help to install a physical barrier between the two. The border ensures the poison ivy does not creep back into your space.
Replace Poison Ivy with Other plants
Before planting other plants, ensure the poison ivy is dead, and you won’t have to treat that area again.
Then, you can replace the poison ivy with your preferable plants.
Why Should You Use a Pesticide?
Many people usually avoid using pesticides and herbicides for poison ivy control. However, the situation becomes dire in some instances, making it necessary. If you are thinking about using homemade solutions, you should know they don’t give lasting results.
Pesticides usually attack the visible stems and leaves and reach the deep-lying roots. They target any offshoots of the main poison ivy plant. This means that using a pesticide will help you eliminate any smaller versions that might have started sprouting nearby.
How to Use a Pesticide
If you decide to use a pesticide, ensure you read all the instructions and check the ingredients keenly. Following this essential step will ensure that you are using the product correctly. It will also help avoid damages, potential injury, and other unlikable situations.
The general rule is to avoid spraying the pesticide around pets, children, and other living things. Try not to inhale the pesticide as you spray. If you accidentally spray the chemical on yourself, rinse and wash immediately.
The ingredients in the pesticide that are poisonous to poison ivy are also dangerous to humans. In this sense, it would help if you could wear gloves while handling the chemical.
Once you have sprayed the pesticide, make that area out of bounds for up to 48 hours or per the manufacturer’s directions. This ensures that no one comes in contact with the poison when it is still fresh.
A Quick Glance at the Best Poison Ivy Killer
| Product Name | Best for Case | Star Rating out of Five |
| BioAdvanced 704630D Brush Killer | Best Overall | 4.7 |
| Ortho 475705 GroundClear Ivy & Tough Brush Killer | Best for Non-Garden Areas | 4.6 |
| Roundup 5007410 Weed Killer | Best for Garden Use | 4.5 |
| Energen Carolina LLC 578 Vinegar Weed & Grass Killer | Best for Residential Use | 4.5 |
| Bonide 506 Oak and Ivy Killer | Best Lawn-Safe Option | 4.3 |
| Ortho Max Poison Ivy and Tough Brush Killer Concentrate | Best Concentrate | 4.3 |
| Scotts Ortho Roundup Ortho 0435140 Max Poison Ivy/Tough Brush Killer, 1.33-Gallon | Best Ready-To-Use | 4.1 |
Your Poison Ivy Control Buyers Guide
To find the best poison ivy killer, there are several things you ought to consider. This is because you will find multiple options in the market, each with varying effectiveness. Here are some factors you should consider:
Concentrates
Concentrates are available in small bottles, usually around 16 ounces (0.45 kilograms) to 32 ounces (0.91 kilograms). However, they are supposed to be diluted because they are enormously strong in concentrated form. You can dilute this concentrate into several gallons of sprayable weed killer.
For example, several concentrated formulas can make about 4-8 gallons (15-30 liters) of diluted spray. You can use this amount to spray around 1500 square feet (139.35 square kilometers). Remember, the more you dilute the concentrate, the less potent it becomes.
Ready to Use Formula
These kinds are ready for use when you purchase them. You don’t have to dilute or mix them. Usually, you don’t have to transfer them to a sprayer because many come with spray bottles. Some come with a battery-powered spray nozzle that makes it effortless to kill poison ivy.
The ready-to-use formulas are more costly. They come diluted, meaning there is no room for stretching by diluting them further. You cannot make it stronger by diluting it less.
So, should you go for concentrates or ready-to-use formulas?
The first thing you ought to consider is the area you want to treat. If you plan to treat a large area, it will help to go with a concentrated formula. This will help you cover more area, and it is more cost-effective than the ready-to-use formulas. However, if your concern is quickly killing the poison ivy, then the ready-to-use recipe is your best bet.
Time
You should also consider the time you would have to wait before seeing results after the first application. Some products take as low as 24 hours, while others might take a few days before you start seeing results.
Total Area to Treat
Consider the amount of poison ivy you have to kill. How much area is it covering? It would help to answer these questions before choosing a product. For example, if you want to kill poison ivy in a large area, consider getting concentrated products and vice versa.
Our Top Picks for Poison Ivy Herbicide
BioAdvanced 704630D Brush Killer – Best Overall
BioAdvanced 704630D brush killer is arguably the best poison ivy killer. It comes with a unique penetrating formula that kills the toughest plants to the root. It kills more than 70 types of weeds and brush, including the poison oak Georgia. Therefore, you can use it along fences and cabins or anywhere tough brush grows.
Key Features
Main Ingredients: Triclopyr, triethylamine salt
Precautions: Keep out of reach of children
Volume: 24- fluid ounce (709 milliliters)
Weight: 1.56 pounds (0.71 kilograms)
Concentrated or ready-to-use: Ready-to-use
How long does the product take to work: You will start seeing results in one to six weeks
How long does the product last: Rainproof in four hours
Product effectiveness: Kills weeds to the root
Ease of use: It comes with an award-winning design that makes it comfortable, easy, and more efficient to use.
Does the product spread easily: It takes some time to spread
Brand: BIOADVANCED
How to Use
Adjust the spray nozzle for a coarse spray. While spraying, ensure you hold the sprayer around 12 inches (30.48 centimeters) from the ivy poison plants. spray the weeds thoroughly until wet.
Pros
- It uses a unique penetration formula, enabling it to kill the toughest weeds.
- The bottle design is easy to use.
- It kills a wide range of weeds.
- It takes a few hours to become rainproof.
Cons
- The sprayer is pitiful.
Roundup 5007410 Weed Killer – Best for Garden Use
Roundup Ready-To-Use weed killer comes with two brush-killing ingredients enabling it to penetrate waxy leaves of hard-to-kill weeds. Moreover, it kills the weed down to the root, making it an ideal poison ivy herbicide. It is best used in a garden.
Key Features
Main Ingredients: 1% Glyphosate & 0.1% Triclopyr
Precautions: Avoid contact with skin, especially the face and eyes. In case it touches your skin, rinse it off immediately.
Volume: 128 fluid ounces (3.79 liters)
Weight: 9 pounds (4.08 kilograms)
Coverage: One gallon (3.79 liters) covers around 300 square feet (27.87 square meters)
Concentrated or ready-to-use: Ready-to-use
How long does the product take to work: 24 Hours
How long does the product last: Rainproof for 30 minutes
Product effectiveness: Kills weeds to the roots. Guaranteed! The manufacturer offers a refund if the product does not work
Ease of use: It is easy to use because it does not require the user to mix before use
Does the product spread easily: Yes
Brand: Roundup
How to Use
Spray the weeds or brush you want to destroy until they are thoroughly wet. If the vines have grown up poles and fences, cut them to a height of around 4 feet (1.22 meters). After that, spray the vines thoroughly.
Pros
- It works fast (results visible within 24 hours).
- The herbicide for poison ivy is easy to use.
- It kills weeds to the roots making it ideal for eradicating poison ivy.
- It comes with a consumer guarantee: you will get a refund if you are not satisfied.
Cons:
- You can only use it in a limited area.
- It does not allow you to vary the concentration levels for different needs.
Ortho 475705 GroundClear Ivy & Tough Brush Killer – Best for Non-Garden Areas
Amazon’s Choice Award in weed killers by Ortho
This herbicide can kill up to 60 different types of weeds. Many people love it because it acts fast, produces yellowing and wilting within 24 hours, and is rainproof within two hours. You will get the best results if you apply when the air is calm and weeds are actively growing.
Key Features
Main Ingredients: Triclopyr, triethylamine salt
Precautions: Don’t use the product around edible feed and food crops or grazing areas.
Volume and Weight: 1.33 gallon (5.03 liters)
Concentrated or ready-to-use: Concentrate
How long does the product take to work: 24 hours
How long does the product last: Rainproof in two hours
Product effectiveness: Very effective, kills up to 60 different tough weeds
Ease of use: It is easy to use; you don’t need to bend or pump.
Does the product spread easily: Yes
Brand: Ortho
How to Use
To use this poison control herbicide, install the Ortho Comfort Wand attached at the side of the bottle to allow you to target weeds with a continuous stream. It works best when weeds are actively growing. Don’t dilute the product as it will become less effective.
Pros
- It acts fast; you will see results in 24 hours.
- The herbicide is rainproof after two hours of application.
- It is easy to use.
- You can use it in non-garden areas like cabins and around homes.
Cons
- You cannot use it in the garden.
- It does not clear weeds in one application.
Energen Carolina LLC 578 Vinegar Weed & Grass Killer – Best for Residential Use
This non-selective weed killer acts quickly. It is recommended for use to eradicate poison ivy. Because it destroys grass, only apply it in areas where grass and weeds are unnecessary. It is an excellent alternative to herbicides that don’t contain glyphosate.
Key Features
Main Ingredients: Acetic acid
Precautions: Keep out of reach of children
Volume and Weight: 128 fluid ounces (28.41 milliliters)
Concentrated or ready-to-use: Concentrated
How long does the product take to work: 24 hours
How long does the product last: Rainproof after 8 hours
Product effectiveness: Kills weeds to the root
Ease of use: Product is easy to use
Does the product spread easily: Only when the leaves are dry
Brand: Energen Carolina, LLC
How to Use
For best results, apply it to young and actively growing weeds. Do not dilute it before use, and ensure the poison ivy leaves are dry before you spray. If the poison ivy plants look healthy, use a higher spray volume.
Pros
- It is pet safe.
- It is organic, meaning its residues degrade in the soil.
- It works quickly.
- It kills a wide range of weeds.
Cons
- It destroys grass, so you cannot use it on your lawn.
- It has a strong odor.
Bonide 506 Oak and Ivy Killer – Best for Lawn Use
This product effectively eliminates poison ivy and poison oak. It also destroys a wide range of other weeds. You will begin to see results in a few days, and the weeds will start dying slowly. But you may need around four weeks for complete eradication. It is best for lawn use because it does not kill the grass.
Key Features
Main Ingredients: 2-4D, dimethylamine salt, Meco prop –P, Dicamba
Precautions: Keep out of reach of children
Liquid Volume: 32 fluid ounces (0.91 liters)
Weight: 2.3 pounds (1.04 kilograms)
Concentrated or ready-to-use: Ready-to-use
How long does the product take to work: Starts working overnight
How long does the product last: Up to four weeks for complete kill poison ivy
Product effectiveness: Acts slowly but surely
Ease of use: It is easy to use
Does the product spread easily: It takes some time to spread
Brand: Bonide
How to Use
The product is ready to use when you buy it. You don’t need to mix or pour it. The spray nozzle makes it effortless to use.
Pros
- It does not harm your lawn grass.
- It kills other weeds apart from poison ivy.
- Its bottle is easy to use and spray.
- You can also use it on poison oak.
Cons
- It takes around four weeks to be effective.
- It does not work well on grown plants.
Ortho Max Poison Ivy and Tough Brush Killer Concentrate – Best Concentrate
Ortho Max Poison Ivy killer is a concentrated weed killer formulated to eradicate the stubborn poison ivy. Although it takes some time for you to see the results, the wait will be worth your while. You will also love the fact that it is easy to apply.
Key Features
Main Ingredients: Triclopyr, triethylamine salt
Precautions: Keep away from children
Volume: 16 fluid ounces (473 milliliters)
Weight: 1.21 pounds (0.55 kilograms)
Concentrated or ready-to-use: Concentrated
How long does the product take to work: Three to four days
How long does the product last: Three to four weeks for complete eradication
Product effectiveness: Kills poison ivy to the root
Ease of use: It is easy to use thanks to the Ortho Dial ‘N’ Spray Hose-End Sprayer
Does the product spread easily: Yes, although at a slow pace
Brand: Ortho
How to Use
Dilute the 32 ounces (0.95 liters) product, and you will get around eight gallons (30.28 liters) of spray-ready weed killer. Once you spray it, you will wait a few days before you start seeing results.
Pros
- It kills more than 60 types of weeds.
- It comes with a poison-ivy-specific formula making it more effective.
- It is easy to apply because of the Ortho Dial ‘N’Spray Hose-End Sprayer.
- You can use it in a wide area.
Cons
- It is relatively expensive.
- It works slowly.
Scotts Ortho Roundup Ortho 0435140 Max Poison Ivy/Tough Brush Killer, 1.33-Gallon – Best Ready-To-Use Poison Ivy Killer
This ready-to-use weed killer comes with a unique formula that is effective as a herbicide for poison ivy. It also kills a wide range of other weeds. Additionally, you can use it to destroy the poison ivy root, ensuring you eradicate it once and for all.
Key Features
Main Ingredients: Triclopyr, triethylamine salt
Precautions: Keep out of reach of children
Volume: 170.4 fluid ounces (4.84 liters)
Weight: 13 pounds (5.90 kilograms)
Concentrated or ready-to-use: Ready-to-use
How long does the product take to work: Two to three days
How long does the product last: Rainproof in 2 hours
Product effectiveness: Guaranteed effectiveness
Ease of use: Straightforward to use
Does the product spread easily: Slowly but surely
Brand: Roundup
How to Use
This is a ready-to-use solution meaning you don’t have to dilute it to use. It comes with a sprayer which makes it easy for you to apply.
Pros
- It kills a wide range of weeds.
- It is guaranteed effective.
- The product is easy to use.
- It becomes rainproof within two hours of spraying.
Cons
- You cannot dilute it to extend its use.
- You have no control over the degree of the concentration.
What is the Best Poison Ivy Killer – Final Thoughts
Up to this point, you have learned a lot concerning poison ivy as a plant and poison ivy control measures. As you have discovered, there are different solutions applicable to different scenarios. Besides that, you have also found certain factors you must consider before selecting a herbicide for poison ivy.
So, if you have been wondering what kills poison ivy, consider using BioAdvanced 704630D Brush Killer, which is undoubtedly the best poison ivy killer.