
Easy Ways to Destroy This Yard Menace Without Harsh Chemicals
- Find out if this source of itchy and blistery pain is hiding in your yard today!
- Discover the one thing you should never do when disposing of this plant
- Call in the reinforcements! If you can find them. Learn more…
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
“Leaves of three, let it be. Berries white, run in fright…”
If this saying rings a bell, then chances are you live somewhere with poison ivy.
And if you’ve ever experienced the nasty, itchy, blistery rash that comes from brushing up against one of these prolific vines and bushes, then you know they can cause serious pain
But they aren’t alone. Poison oak and poison sumac can also cause devastating pain and discomfort to your skin.
You see, all three of these plants contain a long-lasting oil called urushiol, which can cause a painful, itchy flare-up even after slight contact.
Unfortunately, you don’t have to be an avid hiker or camper to have a run-in with urushiol. Actually, you may not have to look any further than your own outdoor space to find these biting plants.
And while you definitely don’t want this ticking time bomb of discomfort planting roots in your yard, you probably don’t want to douse your lawn in harsh chemicals, either.
So what can you do?
Well, the good news is there’s a chemical-free solution to ridding your turf of these pesky plants. I will share this natural concoction in just a bit. First, let’s talk about gearing up for clearing them out of your yard.
You’ll Need More Than a Pair of Gloves
Pulling these plants might be the quickest way to clear them, since the results are immediate. Surprisingly, there are folks who are immune to the effects of urushiol. If you are lucky enough to know someone who has this immunity, ask them to help you remove the plants. If not, you need to make sure you have the proper gear.
Poison Ivy leaves may also have smooth edges. Be on the lookout for both.
Source: outdoororbivore.com
First things first, make sure you have a quality pair of gloves without any holes to cover your hands.
Next, you will want to make sure you have covered every part of your body that may come in contact with the plant. This might mean duct-taping your pants to your socks and your shirt sleeves to your gloves. Plus, you will need eye protection, a face mask, and something to cover your neck.
Once you’re fully suited, you can get to removing the plants.
For best results, after you’ve pulled the plant, dig in the soil (up to eight inches) to ensure there is no root left. When the plants and roots are removed, put some cardboard over the removal area to impede regrowth.
Place all plants in a heavy-duty trash bag and store in a safe place for garbage collection.
Never burn these plants!
Burning urushiol plants, even when they are dead, can produce smoke that is extremely irritating to the eyes, nasal passages, and lungs. In fact, it’s been thought that burning poison ivy could have been the inspiration for mustard gas.1
After you’re done pulling and bagging the plants, remove your clothes carefully and wash immediately. Urushiol can be active on surfaces for up to five years, so you may want to wash your clothes twice to be safe.2
Spray Away!
If pulling the plants doesn’t seem to do the trick or you just don’t want to risk contact, there are a couple other ways to tackle these backyard threats. One of these is with a homemade herbicide.
Here is what you will need:
- 1 pound of salt
- 1/2 gallon of water
- 2 cups of white vinegar
- 1/4 cup of biodegradable dish soap.
Combine all ingredients in a weed sprayer and stir until fully dissolved. Next, spray the offending vegetation until fully coated. This mixture will kill any plant it touches, so be sure you’re only dousing the plants you want destroyed.
Also, it’s best to apply the solution on sunny days so that rain doesn’t wash it away. It may take a few applications, but it will kill any unwanted plant guests.
And lastly, you can call in reinforcements of the animal kind…
Goats are completely immune to urushiol and make fast work of destroying these plants. Plus, it’s a treat for them!
If you don’t own a goat or know of one you can barrow, some areas have goat rental services. Check the web to see if there are is a rent-a-goat service near you!
Live well,
Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily
Sources
[2] POISONOUS PLANTS
[3] What is the best way to get rid of poison ivy?

Written By Natalie Moore
Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.
View More Free Articles
Eat 23 of These Daily to SLASH Heart Risk [DELICIOUS!]
When it comes to heart health, we’re constantly told what we need to cut out. You know the drill—ditch the salt, dump the sugar, and avoid the processed foods. But what if I told you that adding something to your diet could be just as effective for protecting your heart? A comprehensive new scientific analysis...
"Yellow Devil" Fruit CRUSHES Blood Pressure Better Than Meds
I have a confession to make. I hate bananas. Even the smell of them causes my stomach to flip. The funny thing is that I have an uncle and a daughter who are the same—so I wonder if it’s genetic. But even though I consider them the yellow devil of the fruit world, I recommend...
50-Cent Nutrient Puts the Brakes on Aging
Scientists discovered a remarkable “anti-aging” solution hiding in plain sight. It isn’t some exotic compound from a remote rainforest or an expensive laboratory creation. It’s a nutrient you can find at any pharmacy for less than the cost of a cup of coffee. The trouble is, most seniors aren’t getting enough of it, which researchers...
The Hidden Brain Risk Lurking in Your Living Room
If you’re reading this while settled into your favorite chair, you might want to consider standing up… New research uncovered something that might surprise you. Sitting too much can literally shrink your brain. But it gets worse… We all know being sedentary isn’t good for our health. However, researchers at Vanderbilt University uncovered something alarming....
“Biohack” Your Life Like a Billionaire?! Here’s How
You’ve probably seen the headlines about the billionaire who spent millions on “biohacking” to try to make himself younger. He measures hundreds of biomarkers and pops dozens of pills daily. And he’s undergoing experimental treatments that cost more than most folks’ houses. It may have left you wondering if regular people like you and I...
Do THIS Daily to Improve Strength, Flexibility, and Endurance
For any couch potatoes out there… I have some exciting news. If you’ve been avoiding exercise because you hate the gym or don’t have the time, that might be about to change. A groundbreaking study reveals how a few simple moves, done daily in your own home, could dramatically improve your fitness—even if you’ve skipped...
Mailbag: A Post-Prostate Cancer Blueprint for a Better Recovery
“My son just got his prostate removed because of cancer. He is doing well and recovering. My question is there any information you can forward with regards to his lifestyle? Are there things he should not eat, things he should be eating, is social drinking a risk, any vitamins that should be on his list?...
The Stroke-Boosting Threat Lurking in YOUR Arteries
We want to take a moment on this Memorial Day to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Their courage, dedication, and selfless commitment to protecting our freedoms will never be forgotten, and their legacy lives on in the country they helped preserve. I’ve warned you...
20-Minute AM Hack Will Revolutionize How You Wake Up
If you feel like you’re in a fog for the first hour after your alarm goes off, you’re not alone. Mornings can be rough. That groggy, disoriented feeling isn’t just annoying—it’s a real physiological phenomenon called “sleep inertia.” And it can drag on for up to two hours after waking, even if you’ve had a...
Weekly Habit QUINTUPLES Your Cancer Risk
Everyone knows that sugar-sweetened sodas aren’t going to win any nutrition awards. That’s not news. But now, a disturbing new study suggests these soft drinks hide a deadly secret. A regular soda habit could do far more damage than just expand your waistline or raise your diabetes risk. The new research reveals these sugary treats...