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Best brush killer?
Posted by Paula B at 2014-08-09 19:36:08
Specifically poison ivy. We've always tried to be as environmentally conscious about using chemicals as possible. But it is time to do something about the poison ivy that is just overwhelming our property. Since we haven't purchased any brush killer in a long time, I was wondering what the best option is out there these days that is readily available. Your suggestions are appreciated!
BTW I know goats are great at clearing brush, and although they have been seriously considered, we would have to wade through acres of poison ivy right now to put up a proper fence to contain them and some of the places, like the flower beds where it is running rampant is not a welcome place for a goat.
Response by Mptclinics in IL at 2014-08-09 22:07:31
You say you are environmentally conscious, and you have already considered goats. It sounds like you have decided they aren't an option, but I wanted to at least through this out there….

We have been using goats to clear weeds, brush, poison ivy, briars, and overgrowth so thick you can't even walk through it for 2 years now. I've only gotten a little poison ivy once, and I wasn't even moving goats--I was clearing timber. We use temporary, portable electric net. With goats the only requirement is that it MUST be electrified or they can get tangled. They respect immensely though once they've received a shock or two. My husband will go into an overgrown area and clear a narrow trail just long enough to stretch the fence. It takes a couple of hours, sure, but once set up, in the roughly 1/3 acre area we fence, our 3 goats are set for several weeks. The netting also allows you to fence out gardens and such. We have determined their favorite foods are honeysuckle, berry briars, and poison ivy--they can't get enough of the stuff (just don't let them nuzzle you when you go to visit!). After one year, with occasional grazing by other animals, the poison ivy in our front pasture (being converted to pasture) hasn't returned. We are now working on other overgrown areas just full of the stuff, and once they clear, we keep the area mown down and it just doesn't grow back. My husband is considering increasing our goats and setting up a brush clearing caprine rental program. FTR, these are also our dairy goats, so they get milked twice a day. It would be more convenient to use meat goats or just scrub goats, but we like ours to be multi-purpose. I just have to make sure the udder is clean before milking, lest I get poison ivy on my hands. It does not affect the milk though.

BTW, we are clothed from head to toe to clear trails and set up fence. After clearing trails (being careful not to touch our face in the process!), we carefully remove those clothes and put them straight in the washer with an old-fashioned poison-ivy soap called "Fels Naptha". You can find it in many stores. It is a bar soap. We also bathe in it that night, and it prevents outbreaks. If you happen to break out, tea tree oil relieves itch on contact. It's amazing stuff! My kids get it all the time as they run barefoot in the woods. I'm done fighting them on the issue, but tea tree oil prevents complaining. It's good stuff! Hope that helps give you some ideas anyway.
Response by dbarker at 2014-08-09 23:25:20
Find someone that will sell you some grazon p&d. It'll take care of it. If you want to get real serious you can add a little Dicamba to the mix.

Dave
Response by Vince Mautino at 2014-08-10 07:26:04
Some states ,you cannot buy it unless you are a licensed sprayer, but if you can get Tordon, sometimes marked Tordon K.

Just don't spray it along any water ways
Response by ROB at 2014-08-10 07:53:00
I HAVE NOT TESTED THIS BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD. ONE GAL. WHITE VINEGAR TWO CUPS EPSOM SALT ONE QUARTER CUP DAWN WILL KILL POISON IVY/OAK.
Response by Wes Lupher at 2014-08-10 08:36:28
Weed master or Farm master may work.
Does great on willows.
Response by Jerry Hicks at 2014-08-10 10:35:56
I have tried the Vinegar,epsom salts and dawn weed spray. It works very well on young poison ivy but older plants may need a second or third application. It works real well on broad leafy weeds as well. I think we will use it more. Also never seen anything build up immunity to a brush axe or a grub hoe.
Response by Vince Mautino at 2014-08-10 12:52:10
What ever you use, it must be a brush/wood herbicide, not a broad leaf weed killer.
Also you need to apply it when the poison ivy is in a growing stage and not stress as when it has little water.

Careful after use as the oil from the poison ivy. It is still there and that can get you too.

Above all, do not burn it. The smoke contains the oil also and if you breath it, you get it into t your lungs. That is a lot worse than getting it on your skin.
Response by ken P. at 2014-08-11 09:44:38
The oil that gets you will delute in water. flush off any exposed areas, with in the hour, and avoid getting it. Flush off all tools and boots. A lot of people get it from their sneker laces the next day.
Response by Charles at 2014-08-11 17:10:56
Try farmwork from Tractor Supply sold in 2 1/2 gallon about $75. same as roundup
Response by john at 2014-08-18 21:05:37
"crossbow" works great. It contains tryclopir. However, I am reluctant to use chemicals if there is any other way. I have an old truck stock rack which is about 8 foot by 6 foot. I surrounded it with panels, added a couple of wheels as well as a galvanized roof and a water bucket wired to the side. I put a couple of goats in it and push it around as needed. After the goats clean it up, I go in a rake up any limbs,sticks etc and then keep it mowed. We had a lot of poison ivy on our place when we moved in. This method works great. If you must use chemicals, I would suggest spot spraying it as needed on the young regrowth of the plants that the goats ate down. Of course I'd move the goats to another area first. Good luck
Response by Paula B at 2014-08-19 13:52:55
Thank you all for your help. I need to learn more about taking care of goats, especially what to do with them in the winter. John, I would love to see a photo of your goat-mobile!
It feels wrong to spray any kind of poison, so spot spraying is definitely the plan. I have a very long pair of loppers that are dedicated to poison ivy I use to snip vines off at the ground if I find a stray one here or there. But it is a battle to keep after it all.

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