Best Poison Ivy Killer: The Best Way To Get Rid Of Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy is a fairly common weed in the North American region. It is well known for its tendency to inflict contact dermatitis; a very irritating and possibly painful rash that is caused by the chemical urushiol. Up to 50 million Americans are affected by this dangerous plant every single year.

While not everyone is allergic to poison ivy, you wouldn’t want to risk your own and your family’s safety by keeping these toxic plants anywhere near you. Luckily, there are a plethora of great products on the market that can help you deal with poison ivy safely and efficiently.

With that in mind, we’ve created this guide and listed a handful of promising options to protect you and your property from poison ivy. In this guide, we’ll be going through each product and what they bring to the table when it comes to getting rid of poison ivy. Keep reading to find the best weed killer for poison ivy.

The 7 Best Poison Ivy Killers

The market is saturated with all types of weed killers making it very difficult to find the perfect one for your specific needs. That’s why we’ve done it for you. The following products are what we consider to be the seven best poison ivy killers you can buy.

ECO Garden PRO Weed Killer

Eco Garden Pro Weed Killer is an all-natural herbicide that’s been created with safety and efficiency in mind. With naturally occurring ingredients paired with extremely fast results, it’ll be hard to find another product with the same kind of effectiveness.

The product comes in a ready-to-use (RTU) formula made from 8% acetic acid (white vinegar), 5% organic rock salt, biodegradable plant activators, and a fermentation-derived cofactor. All these components are safe for use around children and animals, making an effective family-friendly weed killer.

The proprietary formulation is incredibly potent as it kills all types of weeds such as clovers, moss, and poison ivy. Within 24 hours of use, any growths of poison ivy that have come into contact with this product will wilt and die. Once the plant absorbs Eco Garden PRO, even the roots will shrivel making its regrowth nearly impossible.

We still highly recommend that you handle the product with care to avoid any possible mishaps. Although it is safe, you still would not want to get vinegar in your eyes. But for the most part, skin contact with this product will leave you completely unharmed save for the slight vinegar smell from the acetic acid.

Using ECO Garden PRO is as simple as it can be. Carefully spray the product over the target weed and leave it to dry. In the case of poison ivy, the chemical urushiol is still active on the plant, so make sure you still avoid touching the leaves before they wilt and die. After 24 hours, the plant should be completely dead and safe to dispose of.

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ECO Garden PRO is not without its issues, even though they are very avoidable. You must use the product with the utmost care as it is considered a broad-spectrum herbicide. This means that it doesn’t discriminate between weed and grass, keeping a steady hand will save your other precious plants in the long run.

The product also doesn’t come with its own spray nozzle. It does, however, come in a container that will accept any average spray head. Just make sure you have one on hand so you can use the product right away.

Overall, ECO Garden Pro Weed Killer is a great option for someone looking for an effective and family-friendly herbicide at a very agreeable price point. It’s hard to go wrong with ECO Garden PRO and its all-natural weed killing formula.

BioAdvanced Brush Killer Plus

BioAdvanced Brush Killer Plus is an extremely cost-effective way to kill poison ivy and a host of other dangerous invasive weeds. Its special formulation paired with its extensive list of uses makes it a tough competitor when it comes to taking care of your home and property.

The product usually comes in a 32 oz. concentrate bottle that can be used for over eight gallons of spray formula. This highly potent formula mainly utilizes the strength of triclopyr triethylamine salt to achieve its desired effect. This ingredient makes it an effective combatant against different types of harmful plant life.

When mixed with water, BioAdvanced Brush Killer Plus can easily wilt a long-list of dangerous plants such as; poison oak, ivy, sumac, and even persistent Kudzu. When left undiluted, this powerful formula can even rid your property of stubborn tree stumps taking up valuable space.

Killing poison ivy is a breeze with BioAdvanced Brush Killer Plus. Just add four ounces of the concentrate to a gallon of water and transfer to a suitable spray bottle. This gallon of spray formula can easily accommodate up to 500 square feet of vegetation. Refer to the product label for instructions regarding the use of specific types of sprayers.

When the mixture is ready, simply spray the desired area until it is thoroughly wet but not dripping. Ensure that the target area is sufficiently isolated to prevent the accidental loss of other plant life. Because BioAdvanced Brush Killer Plus is a non-selective herbicide that targets all plants including poison ivy, it’s better to play it safe.

BioAdvanced Brush Killer Plus still has its fair share of minor drawbacks. Our main concern is that it takes one to six weeks before you get to see its effects as opposed to other products that show much quicker results. Despite this, the product consistently delivers undeniable results and will still easily kill poison ivy.

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Another minor concern we have is that the concentrate still requires the user to mix and prepare a solution before spraying down the poison ivy. But if you’re willing to trade its ability to clear stumps for greater convenience, the product also comes in a one-gallon ready-to-use formula that removes the need for preparation completely.

Handling poison ivy is made easy and affordable with BioAdvanced Brush Killer Plus. Its large coverage, range of use, and overall efficacy make this product well worth your consideration.

Bonide Poison Oak & Ivy Killer

Bonide Poison Oak & Ivy Killer is a strong and affordable option if you’re looking to take out poison ivy without risking the safety of your other plants. This product boasts an incredible selective formula and lightning-fast results all in a simple ready-to-use bottle. Bonide Poison Oak & Ivy killer is not a weed killer to take lightly.

Bonide Poison Oak & Ivy killer comes in a convenient 32 oz. spray bottle, making it easy to pick up and use right away. Using dimethylamine salt and a blend of other ingredients, this product proves to be an amazing selective herbicide. This means that you won’t have to worry about harming grass and other plant life that isn’t on its kill list.

This great product has an extensive kill list that you can refer to so that you know exactly what kind of weeds you can handle. This list includes poison ivy, oak, dandelion, thistle, clover, ground ivy, ragweed, stinging nettle, and a host of other inconvenient pests you may find scattered throughout your property.

This product works extremely fast and it can begin to show results mere hours after application. The intensive formula penetrates down into the roots of pesky weeds like poison ivy preventing it from regrowing. Bonide ensures that what’s dead stays dead.

Safety is key when using chemical weed killers. Make sure that you avoid contact with the solution as much as possible to prevent unwanted skin irritation. When used safely and according to the given instructions on the product label then there should be no problems whatsoever.

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There are, however, a few nitpicks on our part. It takes up to four weeks before the weed completely dies, root and all. This is still completely understandable as it does address the entire problem and kills weeds such as poison ivy down to the root, making the pay-out better overall.

Bonide Oak & Ivy Killer is a cheap yet effective option for keeping your home safe. Its thorough and fast-acting formula will make sure that you never see poison ivies on your property ever again.

Image Brush & Vine Killer Concentrate

Image Brush & Vine Killer Concentrate is another competitive herbicide that will completely clear any unwanted flora including poison ivy. As a post-emergent non-selective herbicide, you can be sure that this product will leave your property completely clear and weed-free.

The highly potent concentrate uses triclopyr triethylamine salt to target and clear all plant life it comes into contact with, making it a very effective way to clear areas overgrown with poison ivy, oak, kudzu, blackberry, and even horsetail brush. A single 32 oz. bottle of concentrate can easily clear up to 4000 square feet of property.

It’s simple instructions make it a very user-friendly product that anyone can pick up. You just need to dilute half a cup to one cup of the concentrate with one gallon of water to make a suitable weed killing formula. Feel free to slightly adjust the concentrate amount to accommodate whatever task you have at hand.

When killing poison ivy, just spray the diluted concentrate until the plant is completely covered. Let the leaves dry and let it sit for some time and clean up the remains once the plant has fully wilted. Once cleared, the spot that was sprayed with the product must be left to rest for a month before replanting.

As a bonus, the concentrate can also be used to kill stumps, opening up more valuable space in your land. Simply coat the stump with the undiluted concentrate using a paintbrush and let it dry. The stump should be ready for removal within a few days.

Remember to be very careful when using this product. Non-selective herbicides will kill most kinds of vegetation it comes into contact with, making it a potentially harmful double-edged sword. It can clear large areas easily and leave them open for replanting, but it can also harm any flowers in the area that it comes into contact with.

Sitting at a very modest price, it’s hard to go wrong with this product. So if you’ve got a steady aim then Image Brush & Vine Killer may be the way to go.

Ortho MAX Poison Ivy & Tough Brush Killer Concentrate

Ortho MAX Poison Ivy & Tough Brush Killer Concentrate is yet another great option when it comes to getting rid of poison ivy. Its quick-dry solution will ensure that you can use this incredible product even through rainy weather and its potent formula will make short work of even the toughest weeds and brushes.

The product comes in only two sizes: A 16 oz. concentrate and the more common 32 oz. concentrate bottle. The active ingredient in Ortho MAX is triclopyr, a very well-known and well-documented ingredient that has shown success as a broad-spectrum herbicide in a lot of different weed-killing products.

Ortho MAX is extremely easy to prepare, all you need to do is mix four ounces with a gallon of water to maximize its uses. Doing so will make sure that a single 32 oz. bottle will last you a very long time.

When using Ortho MAX on poison ivy, we recommend you use a coarse spray to avoid damaging nearby desirable plants. Make sure to coat all actively growing parts including leaves, stems, and the root base. This will guarantee that the whole plant will wither and prevent it from regrowing in the future.

To further protect desired plants, you can choose to shield them with a sheet of plastic or cardboard to prevent the solution from overspreading. Remember that Ortho MAX is a non-selective herbicide that will kill surrounding vegetation, so be very careful when applying.

Continuously monitor the sprayed area over two to six weeks as the targeted plant begins to wilt and wither. Should the application seem inadequate, do not be afraid to reapply Ortho MAX a second time. This may be necessary for more densely grown weeds and brushes.

The only real downsides we have for this product is that it does take quite a bit of time to work. That and it’s somewhat pricier than the average poison ivy killer. Despite these issues, the product is still a great option that will always get rid of its designated target.

Overall, Ortho MAX Poison Ivy & Tough Brush Killer Concentrate does what it’s supposed to and that is why it’s made it on this list.

Roundup Concentrate Poison Ivy Plus Tough Brush Killer

Roundup is probably the most high-profile weed killer on the market right now and this product proves why they earned their reputation. This fast-acting formula shows results only a day after use and will leave your property looking brand new.

Like other entries in this list, Roundup contains some triclopyr to aid in killing weeds, but its main active ingredient is actually glyphosate. When absorbed by the plant, glyphosate blocks enzyme pathways that the plant needs for growth and survival. This is why glyphosate is such an effective way of permanently getting rid of plants like poison ivy.

Preparing the product is easy, just mix six ounces of Roundup Concentrate Poison Ivy Plus Tough Brush Killer with a gallon of water. This mixture should be good for over 300 square feet of coverage. Spray the mixture on the actively growing leaves and stems of the desired plant until sufficiently wet. Take note not to oversaturate to avoid any waste.

When using the product it is imperative that you wear protective gloves to avoid unwanted skin contact. 30 minutes after application the target plant should be completely dry and rainproof. Do not let children or pets near the affected area while it is still wet.

There should be clear signs of wilting or yellowing within 24 hours of use, this indicates that the product is running its course. It may take up to two weeks for the complete results, but this is because the concentrate is making its way throughout the plant system, down to the roots, to finish the job.

Once completely wilted, carefully dispose of the plant remains and wait a few days before replanting anything. Ornamental flowers can be replanted in its place after a day of rest, while lawn grasses will take slightly longer at a total of three days.

The only real downside that we can think of is that it takes two ounces more per gallon than usual. But this is understandable considering it already shows results after only a day instead of the usual weeks. That and the fact that this product doesn’t pull punches and keeps poison ivy from regrowing make it a pretty sweet deal overall.

Roundup Concentrate Poison Ivy Plus Tough Brush Killer is one of the best weed-killing options and definitely deserving of a spot on this list.

Spectracide Weed & Grass Killer2

Spectracide Weed & Grass Killer2 is a ready-to-use herbicide that gives you everything you need to get rid of pesky poison ivies and other weeds that show up on your property unannounced. Its diverse range of components makes this product an extremely fast and efficient weed killer.

The product uses a mix of diquat dibromide, fluazifop-p-butyl, dicamba, dimethylamine salt, and a host of other ingredients to make sure that you get the job done quick and easy. These components make sure that the targeted plant withers from its greens down to its roots.

Spectracide Weed & Grass Killer2 needs no preparation. It even comes with an integrated nozzle so you can use it immediately after purchase. You simply need to cover the target areas with the formula as precisely as possible. This will ensure that you take out your target without any collateral damage.

After only 15 minutes, the sprayed area should be completely dry and rainproof, making it a great weed-killer all year round. After 3 hours, you should begin to see some progress as the target weed begins to yellow and wilt. This will go on for up to two weeks until the weed dies, roots and all.

Other products can take weeks up to a month before you can safely replant in the open space, but with Spectracide Weed & Grass Killer2, replanting is completely safe only a day after the weed is removed. This makes for an extremely time-efficient product overall.

The only real issue with the product is the mystery surrounding a large portion of its ingredients. The ingredients noted in the previous section were only the ones disclosed, while there is still a large percentage left unmentioned. This is likely to maintain some secrecy with the formula and dissuade possible copy cats from making unsafe clones.

Overall, Spectracide Weed & Grass Killer2 is an affordable and reliable choice and one of the fastest-acting products on this list. It should be considered if you’re looking to take out some poison ivy and you need it done quickly.

What To Keep In Mind When Choosing The Best Poison Ivy Killer

The market is full of different poison ivy killers, but each product comes with its strengths that you can take advantage of depending on your specific situation. Here are some things to consider when choosing the best poison ivy killer for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

We’re sure there are still a lot of questions on your mind about killing poison ivies. That is why we’ve answered the internet’s most common question regarding that topic. These tidbits should give you a more well-rounded understanding on how to best handle poison ivy.

How do I kill poison ivy fast?

We recommend Spectracide Weed & Grass Killer2! Most poison ivy killers contain a single active ingredient responsible for its effectiveness, but Spectracide Weed & Grass Killer2 contains a mix of diquat dibromide, fluazifop-p-butyl, dicamba, and dimethylamine salt that gives it its incredible killing speed.

This extremely fast-acting formula shows results after only three hours of use, and it’s the dimethylamine salt in particular that gives it that speedy quality.

How do I permanently kill poison ivy?

If you’re looking to kill ivy permanently, then it’s best to look at chemical herbicides. In particular, glyphosate is a great ingredient to look for if you’re looking for a long time solution. Roundup is the most well-known herbicide that uses glyphosate and it claims to kill poison ivy while preventing it from growing in the future too.

Does vinegar kill poison ivy?

Yes. Vinegar will kill poison ivy. Acetic acid (white vinegar) is actually the active ingredient in our first entry, ECO Garden PRO Weed Killer. When used in conjunction with a salt component, vinegar can draw out the moisture from the poison ivy leaves and stems, effectively desiccating the plant. There are even guides online on how to make your own vinegar weed killer.

Will bleach kill poison ivy?

Bleach, when mixed with salt and hydrogen peroxide, can easily kill poison ivy. When applied liberally on the surface of the plant, the solution will dry out and kill the poison ivy. This may not be a permanent fix for your poison ivy problems, but it is a good way to deal with things in a pinch.

How do I kill poison ivy without killing other plants?

If you’re looking to keep your other precious plants safe then you’ll be needing a selective herbicide. Dimethylamine salt is a common selective systemic herbicide that can effectively kill poison ivy, as well as a host of other broadleaf weeds. Just make sure that your chosen product doesn’t have a mix of other non-selective herbicides in it too.

How do I stop poison ivy from growing back?

The key to preventing poison ivy from growing back is finding a product that doesn’t just kill the leaves and stems of the plant. It is important to address the roots of the poison ivy plant to prevent its regrowth.

Triclopyr triethylamine salt is a great component that gets all the way down to the roots and prevents the poison ivy from regrowing.

Conclusion

We hope that this guide has sufficiently educated you on the best poison ivy killers on the market! There are so many different kinds of poison ivy killers out there and you should know exactly what you’re getting into before you spend your hard-earned cash on one.

If you’re looking for an all-natural option then ECO Garden PRO Weed Killer can get the job done. If you need something strong and reliable then maybe consider Roundup. Finally, if you’re looking for something lightning-fast then check out Spectracide.

If you ever find yourself with some sort of poison ivy problem, don’t fret. There are plenty of products out there that can help you deal with the problem safely and efficiently.