Eliminate Pesky Poison Ivy Plants And Plant Grass Seed Where They Were Once Growing

If you have noticed poison ivy growing near your property's patio, each time spent outdoors can be an unpleasant experience if you are allergic to poison ivy and fearful of coming into contact with one of the plants. Safely eliminate the poison ivy by completing the steps below. Afterward, plant grass seed in bare patches where poison ivy was once growing to provide the section of property that surrounds your patio with a uniform appearance.

Materials

• face mask 
• work gloves
• pants and long-sleeved shirt
• herbicide 
• detergent
• washing machine and dryer
• weed pulling tool
• small shovel
• trash bag
• bucket
• bleach
• hot water
• rake
• grass seed
• seed spreading machine
• watering can
• water hose

Wear Protective Gear, Apply Herbicide, And Disinfect Clothing

Put a face mask, gloves, pants, and a long-sleeved shirt on to protect your skin while treating poison ivy plants. Spray an herbicide directly at each plant's leaves and stem. Stand a few feet away from each plant as you administer the product. Avoid spraying the ground, grass, or plants that are located next to the poison ivy plants. Wait for the poison ivy plants to die, this may take a couple days.

If you accidentally touched one of the plants, the urushiol oil from the leaves or stem may be on your clothing. This oil could spread to your skin, resulting in an allergic reaction. Disinfect your clothing by laundering it in hot water that has detergent added to it. Once the clothing is clean, place the items in a dryer that is adjusted to a hot setting. 

Remove The Poison Ivy Plants, Disinfect Clothing And Tools, And Plant Grass Seed

Once the poison plants have wilted, put on protective clothing and remove the plants from the ground with a weed pulling tool or small shovel. Dispose of the plants in a trash bag that is tied. Again, disinfect your clothing by laundering it immediately. Place tools that were used to remove the plants from the ground in a bucket of warm water that has a small amount of chlorine bleach added to it. 

Rake the ground where the plants were once growing to create small furrows. Use a seed spreading machine to plant grass seed in the furrows. Use a watering can or garden hose to add water to the freshly-planted seed. Continue watering the grass seed several times each week. Soon, blades of grass will be growing where the poison ivy originally was.