How to Deal Safely with Poison Ivy in the Garden
2024-07-09
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1Experienced gardeners have likely learned to look out for poison ivy, a common plant found across North America, Europe and East Asia.
2While this green, leafy plant is not life-threatening, it can cause severe skin reactions in many people.
3Associated Press gardening writer Jessica Damiano recently wrote that while she personally has not had any bad experiences with poison ivy, many gardeners she knows have.
4So in an effort to help gardeners - or people who simply enjoy spending time outdoors - deal with this plant, Damiano has come up with some suggestions for how to find and safely get rid of it.
5The official name for poison ivy is Toxicodendron radicans.
6The plant contains oily chemical compounds, called urushiols, in its leaves, stems and roots.
7The American Skin Association estimates about 85 percent of the U.S. population is allergic to urushiols.
8Of those, between 10 to 15 percent are considered "highly allergic."
9The group says this makes the plant concerning - and possibly dangerous - for about 50 million Americans affected each year.
10Damiano writes that this means poison ivy should be removed from gardens in most cases.
11But that can be tricky; touching the plant to remove it can harm those involved.
12Identifying poison ivy plants can be difficult.
13This is partly because the plant takes on different appearances at different times of the year.
14Most often, however, its leaves are made up of three leaflets each.
15The middle stem is longer than the stems of the side leaflets.
16Young leaves usually appear shiny, while older leaves do not.
17Larger, older vines, especially those climbing up trees, are hairy.
18Leaf color can be green, red, pink-tinged, yellow or orange.
19Some leaf ends are smooth, while other have toothed edges.
20Damiano admitted that even she has trouble spotting poison ivy.
21She has misidentified the plant in the past.
22She said some people might want to seek advice from a poison ivy expert or do research online.
23Local agriculture organizations can also be helpful in confirming a poison ivy identification.
24When dealing with poison ivy, people should wear protective clothing for their hands, arms, legs and eyes.
25Avoid touching anything in the process, especially the face.
26Remember the plant can pass on its poison through clothing or tools.
27The best way to completely remove poison ivy is to pull it up by its roots.
28For gardeners living in a four-season area, the job will be easiest in early spring, when the ground is softer.
29The main roots of the plant can grow down about 30 centimeters and runner roots can spread outward in lengths up to six meters.
30Both of these root systems must be removed to avoid future growth.
31All parts of the poison ivy plant must be effectively removed.
32This material should be placed in a tightly sealed, heavy black plastic bag and set out for waste removal.
33Poison ivy should never be burned.
34That is because the smoke is known to contain harmful substances that could be deadly if breathed in.
35After completing removal operations, do not touch anything.
36The plant's poisons can remain.
37First, wash your hands with one of several specialty products made to completely remove all poisons from the plant.
38Avoid using your normal soap because these can spread the plant's oils to other parts of the body.
39After removing all clothes, take a shower with the same specialty cleanser.
40I'm Bryan Lynn.
1Experienced gardeners have likely learned to look out for poison ivy, a common plant found across North America, Europe and East Asia. 2While this green, leafy plant is not life-threatening, it can cause severe skin reactions in many people. 3Associated Press gardening writer Jessica Damiano recently wrote that while she personally has not had any bad experiences with poison ivy, many gardeners she knows have. 4So in an effort to help gardeners - or people who simply enjoy spending time outdoors - deal with this plant, Damiano has come up with some suggestions for how to find and safely get rid of it. 5What is poison ivy? 6The official name for poison ivy is Toxicodendron radicans. The plant contains oily chemical compounds, called urushiols, in its leaves, stems and roots. 7The American Skin Association estimates about 85 percent of the U.S. population is allergic to urushiols. Of those, between 10 to 15 percent are considered "highly allergic." 8The group says this makes the plant concerning - and possibly dangerous - for about 50 million Americans affected each year. 9Damiano writes that this means poison ivy should be removed from gardens in most cases. But that can be tricky; touching the plant to remove it can harm those involved. 10How to identify poison ivy 11Identifying poison ivy plants can be difficult. This is partly because the plant takes on different appearances at different times of the year. 12Most often, however, its leaves are made up of three leaflets each. The middle stem is longer than the stems of the side leaflets. Young leaves usually appear shiny, while older leaves do not. Larger, older vines, especially those climbing up trees, are hairy. Leaf color can be green, red, pink-tinged, yellow or orange. Some leaf ends are smooth, while other have toothed edges. 13Damiano admitted that even she has trouble spotting poison ivy. She has misidentified the plant in the past. She said some people might want to seek advice from a poison ivy expert or do research online. Local agriculture organizations can also be helpful in confirming a poison ivy identification. 14How to safely remove it 15When dealing with poison ivy, people should wear protective clothing for their hands, arms, legs and eyes. Avoid touching anything in the process, especially the face. Remember the plant can pass on its poison through clothing or tools. 16The best way to completely remove poison ivy is to pull it up by its roots. For gardeners living in a four-season area, the job will be easiest in early spring, when the ground is softer. 17The main roots of the plant can grow down about 30 centimeters and runner roots can spread outward in lengths up to six meters. Both of these root systems must be removed to avoid future growth. 18How to clean up afterward 19All parts of the poison ivy plant must be effectively removed. This material should be placed in a tightly sealed, heavy black plastic bag and set out for waste removal. Poison ivy should never be burned. That is because the smoke is known to contain harmful substances that could be deadly if breathed in. 20After completing removal operations, do not touch anything. The plant's poisons can remain. First, wash your hands with one of several specialty products made to completely remove all poisons from the plant. Avoid using your normal soap because these can spread the plant's oils to other parts of the body. After removing all clothes, take a shower with the same specialty cleanser. 21I'm Bryan Lynn. 22The Associated Press reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English. 23______________________________________ 24Words in This Story 25gardener - n. a person who works in a garden: the area belonging to a house that involves growing plants, flowers, trees, etc. 26stem - n. the long, thin part of a plant that the leaves and flowers grow on 27allergic - adj. having an allergy: a medical condition in which your body reacts badly to something you eat, breath or touch 28seal - v. to close off an entrance or container so that air or liquid cannot enter or leave