Luckily there are more ways than one to skin a cat and so bringing a goat into your garden is not the only way of eradicating poison ivy. While anyone who has been unfortunate enough to come into contact with this plant will have no problem in recognizing it, others? may need some help in identifying the culprit. In this article by Mike McGroarty which I found on Mike’s Backyard Nursery website he explains how to be sure you are not attacking an innocent specimen and then suggests various remedies for dealing with the problem.

It is estimated that almost 85% of people have some type of allergic reaction to poison ivy. ? Poison ivy contains a clear liquid called urushiol that is found in all parts of the plant. The urushiol is responsible for the itchy, blistering reaction that poison ivy is famous for.? Some people have mild reactions and others are so sensitive that they will catch it without even touching it.
What ever your situation, there are ways of keeping this nasty vine under control.? Before we discuss what kills poison ivy, let?s talk about how to identify it.

What Does Poison Ivy Look Like?

 
Poison ivy can take on slightly different appearances.?? You?ll notice on the picture above that the leaves are slightly scalloped.? On the picture below, the leaves appear to have smoother edges.

Leaves grow in clusters of three.? The topmost leaf has a small stem, but the two adjacent leaves below it do not.? Poison ivy leaves tend to have a glossy appearance, but its not a rule.? Color can range from green to reddish.? They can get quite red in the fall.

They grow on a vine, as a small bush or as small plant.? They can trail up a tree on a hairy vine or blend in with other plants on the ground.? Sometimes it can be tricky to identify these troublesome plants until its too late.? They can produce a translucent white or cream colored berry that remains on the plant throughout winter and spring.? Its best to follow the old saying:

Leaves of three, let them be.
Berries of white, run in fright.

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