There’s a little plant that is probably growing in your backyard right now that looks harmless, but can cause weeks of irritation and pain. The scientific name for it is toxicodendron, but you likely know it as poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac. These plants are extremely common throughout North America, and the oil they excrete can cause some nasty reactions for most people.
If you’ve got this plant growing in your yard, it may be a good idea to remove it – or have it removed. Many people will purchase a specialized poison ivy/oak/sumac killing spray to help prevent the spread, but the oil that causes reactions can still live on dead plants for quite some time. If you do need to handle it, we’d recommend using gloves and long sleeves. Please, never, ever think about burning these plants to dispose of them. The smoke from burning poison ivy/oak/sumac can cause serious problems if it gets into your eyes or lungs.
