Poison-ivy[2] can be killed either by mechanical means, such as digging,
or by applying chemical herbicides. The best modern herbicides are so
deadly to plants that a single treatment kills all the leaves and 90
percent or more of the roots. This is the easiest and least dangerous
way to destroy these poisonous pests. There are places, however,
where chemicals cannot be used, as in hedges and shrubbery where the
poison-ivy is closely mixed with the valuable plants. In such situations,
hand-pulling is the only satisfactory method. At times also chemicals and
spraying equipment are not available, and then the mattock, scythe, or
plow must be resorted to. Even with these simple tools some timing and
handling methods are better than others.
[2] For brevity, the single designation poison-ivy is used under this
heading to apply equally to all poison-ivies and to poison sumac.