The Best Poison Ivy Killer for Your Yard
If you're one of the unfortunate few allergic to poison ivy, you know how difficult it may be to avoid it. You may have tried several different products, but none appear to work. We have some exciting news for you. We've compiled a list of the top poison ivy killers that will completely eliminate those annoying plants!
Table of Contents
The Best Poison Ivy Killer Reviews
1. Spectracide Weed And Grass Killer Concentrate
Spectracide Weed And Grass Killer Concentrate can take care of any weeds, including poison ivy, in your yard. It can also get rid of brushes, like dandelions, plantain, wild violets, clover, crabgrass, and chickweed.
The active components in the concentrate container include diquat dibromide, fluazifop-p-butyl, and dicamba. If you need to treat a big area, you can use it with a hose-end sprayer. In a tank sprayer, mix it with water.
It takes 15 minutes for the rainproofing procedure to take effect. There's no need to worry about rain or water washing it away. But for the best results, use it when it is sunny, and the temperature is more than 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
The fast-acting weed formula usually makes weeds wilt and fade within a day. Many consumers say that the results do not appear as quickly as 3 hours, a minor gripe. Tough plants may require more than one spray at times.
This product is easy to use in areas where you don't have any plants you want to keep. It can be used to kill weeds, vines, bushes, and brambles.
Spraying pesticides near flowers and your lawn can kill them.
Pros
Kills all undesired weeds, including poison ivy, with ease.
In comparison to many other products, the outcomes are quick.
After only 15 minutes, it's rainproof.
Strong enough to be used commercially
Cons
It doesn't always kill as rapidly as the stated 3 hours.
Because it is non-selective, use caution around plants and grass you want to maintain.
2. Poison Ivy Plus Tough Brush Killer by RoundUp
Roundup is a brush killer that also gets rid of poison ivy. It kills other common invasive shrubs, like wild blackberry, kudzu, poison oak, and sumac.
You can buy this product in two forms- with a wand or a trigger. You can also buy it as a concentrate which you mix with water to use in a sprayer. This is more economical when you need to treat a large area.
RoundUp is rainproof after half an hour of application. The powerful formula will kill the roots of invasive plants, and the results will be visible within 24 hours.
When the wind has slowed down, spray poison ivy and other invasive species to prevent them from spreading to your garden's desirable plants.
Pros
Ideal for use in wooded areas and yards with bush.
Poison ivy and other plants do not regenerate.
Also works to remove stumps.
Stores that have been closed for up to 48 months
Cons
The wand on the ready-to-use version can break. However, the concentrate can be used with any sprayer.
3. Poison Ivy And Tough Brush Killer Ortho MAX
This Ortho MAX weed killer is popular because it contains Triclopyr 8%. It can kill over 60 plants, including kudzu, poison oak, and wild blackberry.
A 32-oz. bottle of poison ivy killer concentrate can make a lot of solutions. When it is diluted, it can be used to treat an area that has been infested with poison ivy. This is a cost-effective option.
Rainproofing your property can be done quickly by applying the product. In most cases, you will need to apply it twice. It may take between 2-6 weeks to completely kill the plants. You may notice some plants turning brown or yellow shortly after treatment.
How you dilute the concentrate depends on how you plan to apply it. Connect the concentrate container to an Ortho Dial And Spray hose-end sprayer or any brand of tank sprayer for the best results.
Pros
Excellent value for money
Also kills woody plants, stumps, vines, honeysuckle, ragweed, and other weeds.
If it gets on attractive plants, it may be washed off (within 2 hours of application)
Cons
Working at the required dilution can be slow.
4. Brushtox Brush Killer Concentrate
Brushtox Brush Killer Concentrate is a powerful formula that efficiently kills poison ivy. It also controls woody plant growth and broadleaf weeds.
The concentrated herbicide can treat an acre of land with each bottle. It can be used to treat ornamental turf, ditch banks, grass pastures, and fencerows.
When using Roundup, it is important to wear protective clothing. This is because it is a very toxic herbicide. You also need to be careful where you spray it because anything that comes into contact will not grow back.
It is best to use Brushtox Brush Killer Concentrate when the weather is dry. This will help to avoid runoff into groundwater or soil. The product will be rainproof within 2 hours.
Pros
Great value for money per acre treated
Typically only needs one application
A very powerful formula containing 61% Triclopyr
Cons
Very toxic—so use protective clothing.
5. Southern CROSSBOW Weed & Brush Killer
This herbicide is good for killing weeds and brush. It has Triclopyr, 2-D, and 4-D to help kill most woody brush, trees, and broadleaf weeds.
The herbicide will stop the growth of the plants almost right away. It can kill clover and dandelions overnight. But for poison ivy, you might have to wait 3-6 days for it to start fading and turning brown or yellow. After that, it will die in 2-3 weeks.
Herbicides work best when they treat new growth on undesirable plants. If you are treating older plants, you might need to use a second treatment to kill them off completely. Within two hours of application, it is rainproof.
Pros
Effective against a variety of broadleaf weeds, vines, and brushes.
The selective weed killer won't hurt your lawn when you follow the instructions.
Cons
It may take two treatments to keep weeds from returning.
6. BioAdvanced Brush Killer Plus
This BioAdvanced product is a herbicide that used to be called Bayer Advanced Brush Killer Plus. It contains the active ingredients Triclopyr and triethylamine salt.
The herbicide is formulated to kill over 70 types of shrubs, brush, and weeds. This includes kudzu, poison oak, and poison ivy. It also kills many common broadleaf weeds and bushy plants.
The weed eater is good for tough weeds to get rid of by hand, like bramble bushes.
This product can clear away poison ivy or any other tough brush. You can use it anywhere there is brush, like along fence lines and around buildings, walkways, trails, and cabins. The BioAdvanced special penetrating formula will go into the leaves and roots of the target plant to kill it.
If you get weed killer on plants you want to keep, you can quickly wash them off. On windy days, though, it's recommended not to apply weed killer because the drift could damage your garden and hurt pets or children nearby.
Apply this herbicide to plants that are fully leafed or actively growing. The herbicide will work within 4 hours of it raining, and it can treat up to 4,000 sq. ft.
Pros
Poison ivy treatment that works quickly
Use a systemic weed killer for stubborn brush and brambles that kill plants at the root.
Cons
Some plants can take up to a month to show noticeable results.
7. Poison Oak & Ivy Killer Bonide BND506
Bonide BND506 Poison Oak And Ivy Killer is a weed killer that will not harm the grass on your lawn. But it will kill most broadleaf weeds, like clover, dandelion, creeping charlie, thistle, and stinging nettle.
This herbicide kills plants quickly. You will see the effects within a few days. It might take up to 4 weeks to completely kill the poison ivy, but the results will be noticeable.
This herbicide is bright greenish-blue and smells like ammonia. It is a combination of 2-D and 4-d, making it very effective. It also comes ready to use, so you don't have to dilute it first. It's also ideal for spot treatment because of the spray nozzle.
Pros
Broadleaf weeds are killed.
Overnight starts working
No harm to lawn grass
Poison ivy is killed at the source.
No mixing is required.
The most effective poison oak remover
Cons
Some plants can take up to four weeks to totally die.
8. Ferti-lome Brush & Stump Killer
Poison ivy can be removed with Ferti-Lome Brush & Stump Killer. However, you should apply it with caution because it will damage your grass. Cut the poison ivy to a few inches in length, then soak up any surplus weed killer with a paper towel while drenching.
Roundup can also control vines, woody plants, strawberry crawlers, blackberry bramble, stumps, thorn shrubs, and invasive cactus.
Triclopyr is the major active ingredient in this product. This component is suitable for use in non-crop areas. This product can be used both diluted (on leafy plants) and undiluted (on other plants) (on stumps). Use a piece of cardboard to cover excellent plants while spraying anything undesired.
This product's packaging has been updated to incorporate a brush on the inside of the lid. This makes it simple to operate. Utilizing an axe to expand the surface area sprayed and waiting a couple of weeks before assessing treatment progress are two pointers for using this product.
Pros
Fast-acting
Usually, one application suffices.
Cons
Because it kills everything, use it with caution.
9. Green Gobbler Natural & Organic Weed & Grass Killer
Green Gobbler is a weed and grass killer that is fast-acting and organic. It contains 20% corn-derived vinegar, four times stronger than table vinegar.
This organic weed killer is certified to be safe to use. It quickly removes poison ivy, dandelions, clover, chickweed, thistle, and other broadleaf weeds. When compared to chemical weed killers, which can take days to weeks to demonstrate substantial results, you'll notice results in hours.
But it kills anything you spray it on, so be careful where you use it. This includes your lawn and flowers, so protect any plants you don't want to die with cardboard.
This weed killer will only kill the plants it comes into contact with. It won't go down to the roots. So if you don't remove the roots by hand, the poison ivy will grow back.
This product is safe to use around both pets and humans. It is non-toxic and dries quickly. Take it with caution, though, as it might cause a burning sensation.
This organic weed killer can be used in any location, including residential and agricultural areas. It is effective when used on 1,200 sq. ft.
The company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if you are unsatisfied with this product.
Pros
Fast-acting
Poison ivy treatment that is both natural and organic
Non-toxic and pet-friendly
Cons
Because it is non-selective, use caution while spraying it.
If you acquire strong acid on your skin, it might burn you.
10. Pulverize Brush & Vine Killer Spray
Pulverize poison ivy and vine killer is easy to use. It comes in a handheld trigger spray bottle. You can use it for small jobs and occasional spot treatment.
Herbicide is a substance that kills plants. The active components in Roundup are maleic hydrazide and ammoniated soap of fatty acids. It can destroy and prevent the regrowth of many types of weeds, vines, and brush when sprayed on the roots of undesired plants. Poison oak and poison ivy are two examples.
On hard surfaces, such as sidewalks and buildings, Round-up is an effective weed killer. These surfaces are not stained. However, use caution when using it near lawns because it will damage the grass.
You will see the results of using this product quickly within hours of spraying it on the target plants. It comes in a bottle that is 32 oz., and it is affordable.
Pros
Poison ivy killing spray that is ready to use
Kills weeds and controls regrowth in a cost-effective manner
Cons
It also kills grass and other desirable garden plants. It's not recommended for spraying larger areas.
Buyer’s Guide
There are many different products available to kill poison ivy. Some are made for poison ivy, and others can kill it and other types of weeds and grasses.
This buying guide was created to help you choose the best product for your requirements. It covers the main things to think about when making your decision.
The Type
There are two types of poison ivy killers: natural and chemical.
- Natural Poison Ivy Killer
Some people choose to employ natural and organic ways to get rid of weeds. Poison ivy can be eradicated without using a chemical herbicide, but it will take time and work.
Concentrated vinegar is commonly seen in organic herbicides. This vinegar is extremely acidic and can damage the plant sections on which it is sprayed. To completely eliminate poison ivy, however, the roots must be removed. Digging or pulling them out will take some effort.
The trouble is that even if you are really careful, you can still overlook subsurface parts of the plant. If any of it is left behind, the poison ivy may sprout again.
Many people believe that a chemical weed killer is the ideal weed killer for ivy rather than an organic herbicide.
- Chemical Poison Ivy Killer
Chemical weed killers are popular because they work well to get rid of weeds for a long time. They are easier to use than natural methods.
Poison ivy killers usually contain harmful chemicals, so be careful. We recommend you wear protective clothing and gloves when handling such weed killers and wash any clothes that come into contact with them separately.
Glyphosate, Triclopyr, and 2 4-D are the active chemicals of the finest poison ivy killers.
Glyphosate is a weed killer that can kill most plants. It is effective at killing broadleaf plants and grasses. The weed killer goes to the root of the plant to kill it.
Triclopyr is a weed killer that will not harm grass. It kills plants by working from the leaves to the roots.
2 Most kinds of grass are unaffected by 4-D. It is specially formulated to kill plants like poison ivy with hard-to-kill cells. This ingredient will cause the plant's cells to divide and grow continuously, effectively stopping it from growing.
Selective Vs. Non-selective
Some weed killers kill specific types of plants. This is called being selective. Selective weed killers won't kill your grass and other plants you want to keep. If you're worried about damage, choose a selective weed killer.
Non-selective weed killers kill everything they come into contact with. They are good for getting rid of many different weeds, brush, and grasses. However, while using them on your lawn, flowerbeds, or beautiful gardens, you must use the utmost caution.
Ease of Use
Some herbicides are pre-mixed and ready to use. This makes them convenient and quick to utilize for modest operations. It's not necessary to mix it or pour it into a sprayer.
Getting a concentration for larger jobs might sometimes be less expensive. To use it, mix it with water in a backpack sprayer. Alternatively, you can connect the bottle to a hose spray nozzle is recommended. This can assist you in rapidly and easily covering big regions of ground.
Price
Some plants are very hard to get rid of. Poison ivy is one of those plants. You might have to treat an area more than once to completely remove it.
The best poison ivy killers can be expensive, but they can save you money in the long run. This is because many cheaper options often require multiple applications and may not be successful.
How to Use Poison Ivy Killer
Although the directions for each contact lens brand are different, some recommended practices are to be aware of.
Some herbicides are simple to use and require little effort. On the other hand, others may need to be blended with water and swirled before use. Always read the package recommendations carefully to determine how much herbicide to use for your job.
Using a sprayer wand makes it easier to control the best poison ivy herbicide administration. You have greater control over this than with a regular spray bottle. With a wand, you can get through the vegetation in front of you and right down to the roots of poison ivy and other undesired plants (around the roots, new leaves, and sensitive growth).
Saturate the leaves of poison ivy plants for the best results. Avoid using near humans, animals, or water during rainy or windy days. To avoid drift or accidentally spraying other plants, use a sheet of cardboard if at all possible. If required, put on protective gear.
If possible, choose a day when there is no chance of rain. The compounds on the leaves may be absorbed if it rains.
Herbicides should be used to poison ivy in late spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing.
To completely destroy a growth, you may need to use more than one herbicide application. However, keep in mind that certain poison ivy killers can take up to a month to work.
Read more: Controlling Poison Ivy in the Landscape