Question
Hi,

After getting permission from our neighbor, we successfully killed the (gigantic) poison ivy vine growing up the mature maple on the propertie's boundary line, since it was spreading around our property.

The leaves have since dried up & started to fall--I've been out several times, carefully raking the dried leaves for disposal, using haz-mat precautions--disposable coverings on shoes, gloves, picking up the leaves with tongs, etc.

Unfortunately, my neighbor has mowed over some leaves (I can't get to them every day), and even weed-eated around the tree this morning (he's aware it's poison ivy).

My question is, are the dried dead leaves less toxic than fresh as far as the urushiol oil? I need to mow in the same area, and I'm not sure just how much precaution I need to take, and how long it will take for the area to "de-toxify". I'm allergic in an average way.

Thanks for any info!  

Answer
All evidence shows that the problem remains in all parts of the dead plant. Continue to take precautions. I wish I could tell you to mulch mow the area but I expect that this will dilute the problem over a wider area. Raking carefully appears to be the safest route