Poison Ivy

Before you contact a poison ivy removal service in the Hudson Valley, it may save a lot of time to take a few minutes and confirm that what you’re looking at actually is poison ivy.

What Does Poison Ivy Look Like?

1. Leaves of Three

One of the most identifiable characteristics of poison ivy is its leaves, typically arranged in clusters of three. Each leaf has an almond-shaped appearance with pointed tips and smooth or slightly notched edges. The saying goes, “Leaves of Three, Let it Be.” If a plant has clusters of three leaves, it’s best to steer clear.

2. Reddish Hue in the Spring

Take note of the shape, color, and texture of the leaves. Poison ivy leaves are typically glossy and can range from light green to reddish in color. During the spring season, poison ivy leaves may exhibit a reddish tint, making them stand out amidst other foliage. This reddish hue is a helpful indicator for early identification before the leaves fully mature.

3. Shiny Surface

Poison ivy leaves often have a glossy or shiny surface, which distinguishes them from many other plants in the vicinity. This characteristic shine can vary depending on factors like age and environmental conditions.

4. Clustered Growth

Poison ivy tends to grow in clusters or patches, forming dense thickets that can quickly spread across your property. Keep an eye out for these dense groupings, especially in areas with ample sunlight and moisture, and along fence lines, wooded areas, and garden borders.

App for Plant Identification

Pl@ntNet Identity seems to be one of the best apps out there. They offer browser based, Android and Apple versions of their plant identification software, for free.

Once you Identify Poison Ivy

While identifying poison ivy is the first step towards managing its presence, removing it safely and effectively requires expertise and specialized equipment. Our team of trained professionals specializes in the complete eradication of poison ivy, ensuring a toxin-free environment for you and your family.

Don’t let poison ivy take over your property any longer. Contact us today or call (845) 687-9528 to schedule a consultation.

Check out our blog and Facebook page for more about the life-cycle of Poison Ivy, and more identification tips.

Learn more about our poison ivy removal services.


Protection and Treatment of Poison Ivy Rash

We work in this stuff every day. After 6 hours of sweating in haz-mat suits, we’re literally soaking in it! Here’s how to protect yourself like the pros!

If you’re working around Poison Ivy wear long sleeves or even 2 long sleeve shirts. You can get thick rubber gloves at Home Depot. Although they won’t be as good as ours, it will get you through the day. Don’t kneel in the soil because the oil is still in the dirt and it will soak through your jeans. When you’re done you can throw everything in the laundry. That’s what we do every day. Wash your arms every hour with regular dish soap. Dish soap is probably 90% effective and very inexpensive.

Mean Green

When you’re done for the day, wash up with Mean Green Power Hand Scrub. You can only get it from Amazon. Mean Green is 95% effective and not expensive. You should always keep it on hand as your primary defense strategy. Use a washcloth and scrub hard. Don’t forget the spaces between your fingers. Mean Green will probably work for all but the most sensitive people. And if you’re that sensitive, we should talk!

If you still break out, you’ll have to go to almost any pharmacy and pick up some Zanfel. Zanfel is a whole lot more expensive so you only want to use that if the Mean Green didn’t work for some reason.

zanfel-package-200

The key to this is to wash off the urushiol right away. As soon as you even think you might be feeling itchy, rub Mean Green on thoroughly for a couple of minutes and it should heal overnight.

The next day, if it is not any better, go for the Zanfel. If you’re extra sensitive, go right for the Zanfel. There are other products out there that contain the same active ingredient.  We haven’t had a reason to try them so we can’t recommend them.

Remember that you can be spreading Poison Ivy around before you know you have it. The longer you wait to rub any of these products on, the more severe your rash will be!

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