There is a type of plants that make work in your backyard risky. The scientific name for this genus of plants is Toxicodendron, but most of us know them better as poison ivy, oak, and sumac. The dangerous substance is oil-like and it will get stuck on your clothing and skin and then transfer to other surfaces, making just a brief encounter turn into a wide-spread itchy rash. This is why it is important to always wear protective clothing when working in an area where you suspect there might be some of these plants growing.
Dealing with these plants, even after they appear to be dead, can be very difficult. Even burning them can release poisonous smoke that could lead to serious ill health effects for someone that breathes it in.
If you decide to put them in garbage bags and put them out to be removed, make sure that you don’t set up a trap for an unwitting person picking up the bag. Have the plants sealed in properly and don’t leave pieces sticking out of the bag.
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