Is Winter The Best Time For Removing Poison Ivy From Your Yard? Here's What To Know

When the snow is falling and the yard is asleep, poison ivy's (Toxicodendron radicans) leaves are gone, it doesn't seem very dangerous, and the vines clearly stand out against the trees. It's tempting to think that winter is the best time to remove this plant. Unfortunately, while you can more easily identify the vines when they're bare, winter isn't the best time for removal. This belief is one of the dangerous mistakes to avoid when dealing with poison ivy in your lawn. 

Instead, the right time to get control over this stubborn plant is late spring to early summer, specifically when the plant is fully leafed out and actively growing. Poison ivy is widespread and it grows well all across North America, living in every type of habitat. If you're struggling to get rid of this plant, you need to know how seasonal biology can help get the job done right. If you want to avoid a frustrating, and potentially very itchy, regrowth, focusing your efforts when the plant is actively growing is the best chance of eradicating it for good.

The best ways to kill and get rid of poison ivy involves careful timing, and not just convenience. Because the plant has lost its characteristic "leaves of three," during the wintertime, it can be difficult to identify the dormant vines, increasing the risk of touching the poisonous plant and coming into contact with urushiol, the oil that spreads poison ivy's signature rash. Urushiol is very stable and is still active on all parts of the plant, including the dormant stems, roots, and vines, and it can remain active on dead plants for years at a time.

Even if you correctly identify the plant, removing it during the winter can be difficult. Since the ground tends to be dry and hard during the colder months, the plant's root system can break off when you try to pull or dig it out. When the roots break, they can grow back once the warmer spring weather arrives.

Using chemical herbicides during the winter also doesn't work very well. Systemic herbicides, the ones that travel throughout the plant to kill the roots, rely on the plant's ability to absorb and direct nutrients to its roots. Since the plant is dormant in winter, the herbicide will just rest on the surface of the plant without being absorbed and relocated down to the root system.

From May through July, particularly when the vine is flowering or fruiting, is the sweet spot for poison ivy removal because of the plant's activity. During this time, the plant is making food via photosynthesis and directing it downward to feed the root system. This process provides the ideal time to use systemic herbicides. Products that contain ingredients like glyphosate or triclopyr are the most effective because the plant absorbs the chemicals through its leaves and moves it to the roots, killing the entire plant.

If you would rather dig or pull out the entire plant, it's usually much easier during this time when the ground is wet. This also minimizes the chance of the roots snapping off. It's good to remember that regardless of the season, all parts of the poison ivy plant, including dead leaves, cut stems, and roots, contain urushiol.

Wearing personal protective gear, including heavy-duty gloves, long sleeves, pants, socks, boots, and eye gear is recommended during any removal process to avoid a painful and very itchy rash. Learning how to properly clean your clothes after dealing with poison ivy is just as important as wearing it to protect yourself. Any contaminated items should be handled carefully and washed immediately in hot water with detergent to break down the urushiol oil.