Poison ivy still a threat in winter

Q. Can I get poison ivy during the winter months?

William from Boardman

A. Yes! The oily toxicant from poison ivy (urushiol) is contained within the plant year-round.

Anytime you injure the bark – the urushiol is released and can come in contact with your skin.

Even more worrisome during the winter months is the potential of breathing in the urushiol when firewood with poison ivy vines or rootlets attached is burned for heat.

Inspect firewood for signs of poison ivy being attached to it and never burn this firewood in your home for heat or in a firepit at a gathering spot.

If you are simply pulling small plants in your landscape or woodlot, you still need to wear protective gear and properly clean your hands, exposed skin and clothing after completing the task.

Avoid skin contact in general by wearing gloves and long-sleeved shirts.

Wash clothes immediately after pulling and rinse the washing machine after washing possibly infected clothes before using for the family’s laundry.

Clean your clothes, gloves and any tools with hot, soapy water.

Disposable gloves are acceptable if you have ones that are strong enough to withstand the work needed for pulling the plants without tearing.

Control of poison ivy is difficult any time of year.

Winter is a time when you can cut the vines, but that is only one step in the control process.

Repeated cutting back of the above ground portion of the plant will eventually deplete the plant’s root reserves.

In most cases, some type of herbicide will assist with killing poison ivy.

Our experts say the best time to do this is two weeks on either side of the plant’s normal bloom time in early summer.

On large vines, using basal bark applications or cut stump applications can be effective.

Be sure to read and follow all label directions before using any herbicides.

The urushiol oil is spread directly from the plant, but also through indirect contact.

Someone who did not touch the plant can get the oil on their skin through contact with clothing, tools, and even pets.

But the oil does not spread from human to human through the oozing blisters of someone who has the rash.

We encourage you to proceed with caution when you deal with poison ivy – no matter the time of year!

To learn more about poison ivy and ways to prevent and treat the rash, go to http://go.osu.edu/poisonivy

For more details on controlling large vines, go to: http://go.osu.edu/largevinecontrol

Eric Barrett is OSU Extension educator for agriculture and natural resources in Mahoning County. Call the office hotline at 330-533-5538 to submit your questions. Regular clinic hours ended October 31st, but you can still call and submit questions. Hours vary throughout the winter season.