| I have used vinegar (just vinegar) along the fence of my child's playground with limited success. Lacking the salt I believe this solution does not travel to the roots, but multiple applications have withered leaves (of other plants as well -- use broadleaf killer precautions about spraying only targeted leaves, as other plants tend to be less hardy). Spraying vinegar on the leaves has been useful for smallish growths tangled in the fence, difficult to pull out. On the playground perimeter, vinegar leaf spray reduces PI exposure, but does not eliminate it completely, as the stems (and probably their urushiol) remain intact. For well established infestations mechanical removal of plants (using precautions referenced elsewhere on this and related websites) is probably the alternative of choice. What I like about the vinegar is that it is not toxic to animals (including humans). Lacking a salt ingredient reduces its effect on the poison ivy, but also makes it less toxic to surrounding plants as well. While not the answer to all PI removal problems, it has helped with mine. |
