Poison ivy - what to do with it

[JamesHW]

Seems that people either react to it or not. I had a bad case 40 years ago but nothing since then. My wife can simply look at it and break out. If your neighbors are far enough away (or if you don't like them (a few threads running here about pit bulls and shooting and trespassing and land encroachment)) pick a breezy day, put on a dust mask and burn it. Somewhat related...I worked in the UK 20+ years ago during their last "foot and mouth disease" outbreak (essentially the same as human flu). They decided to eliminate herds to stop the outbreak and they burned the bodies. They found that the problem kept spreading and then figured out that the next outbreak was directly downwind from the last fire.

I've had luck starting burn piles using one of those charcoal chimney starters and some lump charcoal. I just leave an alcove under the pile with a board where I can pour the red hot coals. I've started piles of wet brush as the charcoal burns so hot it dries out most everything directly over coals and gets a good fire started. Works a lot better than gas which I find usually makes a big fire ball. Traditionally, old used motor oil mixed with some gas was the preferred accelerant. Perhaps an over abundance of caution, but since I have a shallow well and all sand, I hate pouring anything on the ground that might migrate into the water.

 

[JamesHW]

I'm not too allergic to PI but my wife gets terrible rashes just by looking at the stuff. We've been lucky to discover that Fels Naptha Soap works great in cleaning off any of the oils and can even be shaved into the clothes wash to clean off fabrics. We keep a bar beside all of our sinks and we both always wash up with it after working outside. It's been a few years since she had an episode. It's easy to miss but usually can be found in most grocery stores in the laundry soap section.