How do I remove poison oak from my yard?
There are several methods of getting rid of poison oak from your yard, which can be divided into two categories: manual and chemical. No matter which method you choose, you should never attempt to tackle poison oak without first protecting your skin from exposure. Always wear clothes that completely cover you (long sleeves and long pants), and gloves to cover your hands. Never touch your face or any part of your body when you're working with poison oak, as your gloves will most likely have picked up some of the toxic oil from the plants. Transferring it to your body will very likely bring about the painful, itchy rash that you're trying to avoid by getting rid of the poison oak.
If you discover the poison ivy during the fall or the winter, your best option is to remove it manually – chemical solutions are only really effective during the poison ivy growing season. To remove poison oak manually from your yard, you can either pull the plant out as it is, or smother it first. Do this by covering it over with newspapers, tarps, or mulch (anything that will cut off its air and light supply) and leaving it to die. Whether you're removing the plant dead or alive, you need to ensure that you pull it out completely, roots and all, so that it doesn't grow back. Be aware that even if you've smothered the plant itself and are pulling it out dead, it is still toxic, so all the normal rules about protecting your skin from contact still apply.
There's quite a high chance, however, that if you remove poison oak using manual methods, it will grow back again. If you've had to use manual eradication methods because of the time of year, then be on the lookout for the return of the poison oak at the height of the growing season – and this time, it may be better to use chemicals to destroy it.
There are a number of herbicides on the market designed specifically for the removal of poison oak. The main kinds are glyphosate (the Roundup brand is an example of this) and triclopyr (an example of which is the Ortho brand). Ask for advice at the store selling these products, and choose a recommended brand.
To use herbicides to destroy poison oak, you can either attack the cut stumps or the leaves of the plant as it is growing. For the former, you'll need to prune the poison oak by cutting the stem fairly close to the ground (about an inch or two) and immediately apply the herbicide. Because the cut is fresh, the plant will drink in the chemical and draw it deep inside, which is the most effective way to kll it. To use the spraying method, you will need a tank sprayer, in which you should mis the herbicide with water according to the directions on the can. Spraying will be most effective during the poison oak's flowering or fruiting stages (depending on the kind of chemical being used), and you should do it when there is little wind and no rain predicted for at least 24 hours. Spray the leaves heavily with the herbicide and leave it to do its work. Note that the spraying method may have to be repeated several times before the poison oak is completely destroyed.
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