We largely use Glyphosate

Glyphosate is a post-emergent, systemic, broad-spectrum herbicide with no residual soil activity.

When applied to actively growing leaves, it is absorbed and translocated through the plant to the root system. It works by inhibiting an enzyme necessary for the production of certain amino acids essential for plant growth. Once properly treated, the plant — including the root system — dies.

Because it is systemic, glyphosate is particularly effective on perennial plants such as poison ivy that regenerate from established roots.

Glyphosate is non-selective, meaning it can affect most green plants it contacts. For this reason, precise application is essential.

Soil Activity and Replanting

Unlike many herbicides, glyphosate does not remain active in the soil. It binds tightly to soil particles and is broken down by microbial activity.

Because it is absorbed through leaves — not roots — it does not prevent new plants from being planted in treated areas once the application has dried and the plant has completed its uptake process.

Environmental Considerations

When used according to labeled instructions and applied at appropriate concentrations, glyphosate has been evaluated by regulatory agencies as having relatively low acute toxicity to fish, birds, honeybees, and wildlife.

However, like any broad-spectrum herbicide, improper or excessive use can negatively impact plant communities. Large-scale or indiscriminate removal of vegetation can indirectly affect habitat structure for insects and wildlife.

This is why targeted, minimal application by trained professionals is critical.

Why Licensing Matters

Licensed applicators are trained in:

• Proper dilution and mixing

• Targeted application techniques

• Drift reduction

• Environmental protection standards

• State and federal regulatory compliance

In Massachusetts, applicators must maintain continuing education to retain licensure through the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR).

Responsible use is not simply about the product — it is about training, judgment, and restraint.

A Perspective on Risk

No chemical — natural or synthetic — is entirely without debate. Risk (toxicity) depends on dose, exposure, eradication need and application method. 

In our experience, poison ivy presents a very real and immediate health concern to many. Severe allergic reactions to urushiol (the oil in poison ivy) are common and can result in significant medical treatment, lost work time and even, for some, hospitalization.

Invasive vegetation can become a significant financial and structural risk to your property if left unmanaged. For example, Japanese knotweed — a highly aggressive invasive plant — recently formed the basis of a landmark Massachusetts legal case. In Trites v. Cricones, a jury and judge upheld a finding under Massachusetts consumer protection law (Chapter 93A) in favor of homebuyers whose property in Pepperell was contaminated with Japanese knotweed, awarding six-figure damages and payment of attorney’s fees after the infestation was discovered post-closing due to the seller’s failure to disclose it.

Japanese knotweed can damage cement hardscapes and foundations if allowed to dominate. According to ecological experts, Japanese knotweed’s extensive rhizome network can spread rapidly, displace desirable native plants, damage native food webs and disrupt valuable ecosystem services and natural capita.

Because it spreads through an extensive underground rhizome system, surface removal alone is ineffective. Scientific research and university extension guidance consistently identify properly timed, systemic glyphosate-based treatments as the most effective method for reaching and controlling the plant’s root network. When applied in accordance with label instructions and regulatory standards, targeted glyphosate treatments are widely recognized as having a comparatively low environmental impact relative to mechanical excavation or repeated broad-spectrum chemical applications.

Other invasive species such as bittersweet, multiflora rose, and invasive honeysuckles behave similarly: they outcompete native plants, increase long-term maintenance costs, and can make landscapes more difficult and expensive to manage over time. Early, targeted intervention — done thoughtfully and responsibly — is typically far less costly, financially and environmentally, than long-term degradation or reactive remediation.

Our goal is to balance effectiveness with responsible application. We use precise, limited treatments designed to permanently eliminate the target plant, reducing the need for repeated exposure or ongoing disturbance. Using an eradication company that guarantees eradication gives property owners peace of mind.

Scientific literature also documents that glyphosate isn’t without risk and that non-target effects can occur under some conditions (especially with improper application or drift). Broad scientific reviews and regulatory evaluations consider these risks in developing guidance — and that’s exactly why correct timing, targeted application, and label compliance are emphasized in professional eradication services.

Costs can be measured from many angles. Ultimately, it has to be decided when do benefits outweigh the costs.

Our Approach to Glyphosate, Research and Safety

We understand that glyphosate is widely discussed and sometimes controversial. When making decisions for our business and our clients, we rely on current regulatory guidance and peer-reviewed scientific research rather than opinion or online commentary.

Glyphosate has been evaluated extensively by major regulatory and scientific bodies worldwide, including:

• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

• The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)

• The World Health Organization (WHO)

• Research institutions such as Penn State

These organizations have reviewed decades of data regarding human exposure and toxicity.

According to the EPA, “Exposure to workers and other applicators generally is not expected to pose undue risks, due to glyphosate’s low acute toxicity.”

Similarly, Penn State Extension reports that glyphosate has lower acute toxicity than many commonly used herbicides and household substances such as salt and vinegar.

Our licensed applicators follow all Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) guidelines, apply only labeled concentrations, and use targeted application methods to minimize off-target exposure.

Other trusted sources:

National Pesticide Information Center

Weed Science Society of America

UMass Amherst

Montana State University Extension

In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a division of the World Health Organization, classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans” (Group 2A). It is important to understand that IARC evaluates hazard, not real-world exposure risk. A hazard classification identifies whether a substance is capable of causing harm under some circumstance — not whether it presents a likely risk under normal (labeled) conditions of use.

Risk depends on dose, frequency, and method of exposure. Nearly all substances — even essential ones — can become harmful at sufficiently high levels. For example, excessive water consumption can cause water intoxication, a serious medical condition. The principle in toxicology is that dosage and exposure determine risk.

Regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and Health Canada evaluate both hazard and realistic exposure levels based on labeled application rates. After reviewing extensive toxicological data, these agencies have concluded that glyphosate is not likely to pose a carcinogenic risk to humans when used according to labeled instructions and at approved concentrations.

Our applicators follow strict dilution guidelines, apply only the amount necessary for effectiveness, and use targeted methods rather than indiscriminate spraying. Responsible dosage and precise application are central to minimizing environmental exposure while achieving permanent eradication.

Scientific research continues, and reasonable people may interpret data differently. Our position is based on current respected scientific regulatory guidance, who have conducted decades of evaluated research, and disciplined, limited application practices.

How Glyphosate Behaves in Soil

Glyphosate has a distinctive property compared to many herbicides: it binds strongly to soil particles, particularly clay and organic matter.

Because of this binding action, glyphosate has very low mobility in most soils. In fact, if excessive dust is present on plant leaves during application, the product may bind to soil particles on the leaf surface and reduce absorption into the plant. While uncommon, this is one reason proper application technique matters.

Importantly, once glyphosate contacts soil, it is tightly bound and is not readily taken up by plant roots. This binding significantly limits horizontal movement and downward leaching under typical conditions.

Over time, glyphosate is broken down primarily by soil microorganisms into simpler compounds. Its half-life in soil varies depending on conditions such as soil composition, temperature, moisture, and microbial activity, but it is commonly reported in the range of several weeks. This means, in a few weeks, about half of it has broken down. A few weeks after that, half of what remains breaks down again — and so on — until only very small amounts remain.

The exact timing depends on soil type, temperature, moisture, and natural microbial activity.

Groundwater Considerations

Due to its strong soil binding and low mobility, regulatory agencies have generally found glyphosate to have a low potential for groundwater contamination when used according to label directions.

Proper dilution, targeted application, and avoidance of over-application are key factors in minimizing environmental movement. Our applicators follow labeled instructions and best management practices designed to reduce the potential for off-site transport.

We understand that your property is shared by children and pets, and their safety matters.

When used according to labeled directions, glyphosate products are considered to have relatively low acute toxicity. As a matter of good practice, we recommend that children and pets remain out of treated areas while application is taking place and until the product has dried on the leaves — typically about 30 minutes, depending on weather conditions.

Once dry, the product binds to the plant tissue, and normal outdoor activity can resume.

If a pet were to chew on freshly treated vegetation, mild gastrointestinal upset is possible. As with any situation involving potential ingestion, we recommend contacting your veterinarian if you have concerns.

It’s also worth noting that untreated poison ivy can present an ongoing risk to families. Pets running through poison ivy can carry urushiol oil on their fur, which may later cause skin reactions for owners. In many cases, removing poison ivy from the property reduces that repeated exposure risk.

Our goal is to make your outdoor space safer, during our eradication process, as well as after, and more enjoyable for everyone who uses it.

Yes. Our applicators are fully licensed through the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) and receive ongoing training to stay current with best practices for safe, effective, and environmentally responsible herbicide application.

We are also fully insured for your protection and peace of mind.

Our clients are not simply paying for vegetation removal, they are investing in expertise, compliance, and long-term eradication backed by a written guarantee.

Yes. With care.

Our applicators are trained and experienced in working around valued garden plants, ornamental shrubs, and landscape features. If you have specific plants you would like protected, please notify us during the quoting visit so we can plan accordingly.

We use targeted application techniques designed to minimize contact with desirable vegetation. In many cases, poison ivy and invasive plants can be treated without impacting nearby plants.

However, when unwanted vegetation has grown directly into or through valued plants, complete separation may not be possible. In those situations, while we make every effort to minimize damage, some impact to the surrounding vegetation may occur. The extent of potential damage depends on how extensively the invasive plant has intertwined with the desired plant.

When full eradication is the goal, there are occasionally trade-offs. We will discuss those situations with you in advance so you can make an informed decision about how you would like us to proceed.

Our priority is always to protect the health of your landscape while effectively eliminating the unwanted vegetation.

Yes, Herbicide treatments can be conducted near wetlands and water resources, but only in strict compliance with federal and Massachusetts regulations.

Many consumer-grade glyphosate products contain surfactants and additives that are not approved for aquatic or wetland use. Product labels often prohibit application directly to water or in areas supporting aquatic invertebrates. These restrictions apply to the full formulated product and must be followed precisely.

When treatment is required near wetlands, riparian corridors, drainage swales, ponds, streams, or other regulated resource areas, we utilize mix formulations specifically approved of and registered by the EPA for aquatic and terrestrial use. These products are designed for application in aquatic sensitive environments when applied in accordance with label instructions.

Our applicators are licensed through the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) and trained in:

• Product selection based on environmental context

• Label-compliant mixing and dilution

• Drift mitigation practices

• Targeted application methods

• Environmental risk reduction strategies

Because wetland boundaries are not always visually apparent, we ask that property owners or property managers notify us in advance of any known wetlands, buffer zones, or areas subject to local conservation oversight. Where applicable, we coordinate treatment plans to ensure alignment with regulatory requirements.

Stewardship and Risk Management

Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum herbicide. Improper or excessive vegetation removal — regardless of product — can alter habitat structure and impact ecological function. Our approach is disciplined and minimal: we treat only the targeted invasive vegetation, preserving surrounding plant communities whenever feasible.

When aquatic-approved formulations are properly selected and applied at labeled concentrations, regulatory agencies have determined they are not expected to pose unreasonable risks to aquatic environments.

Compliance is not optional, it is foundational to our process.

Yes. We provide a written guarantee.

If live poison ivy or other invasive vegetation contracted for treatment (such as Japanese knotweed or bittersweet) appears in the areas we treated after completion of the full treatment plan, we will return and re-treat those areas at no additional cost, when within the guarantee period.

We will return as many times as necessary within the guarantee period to fulfill our commitment to effective eradication.

Many of our clients enjoy properties free of unwanted vegetation long after the guarantee period has ended.

Our pricing reflects the level of expertise, training, compliance, and long-term results we provide.

Some clients consider our services economical given the permanence of the solution. Others see it as an investment in protecting their property values, landscape or health.

We strive to provide clear estimates and work with homeowners to prioritize treatment areas within their budget when it is a concern.

Our applicators are licensed through the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), having passed the required state examinations and maintaining ongoing continuing education. This ensures treatments are applied safely, precisely, and in compliance with Massachusetts regulations.

Our pricing also reflects:

• Professional-grade herbicide formulations

• Full liability insurance coverage

• Specialized equipment

• Targeted, multi-visit treatment protocols

• A written guarantee

We believe in delivering measurable, lasting results, and standing behind our work. 

Our clients are not simply paying for vegetation removal!

They are investing in expertise, compliance, and long-term eradication backed by a written guarantee.

Comparing Poison Ivy & Invasive Vegetation Control Methods

There are several ways homeowners attempt to manage poison ivy and invasive vegetation. Each approach has advantages and limitations.

Below is a general comparison to help you make an informed decision.

1. DIY Removal (Pulling or Digging)

Pros:

• Low upfront cost

• Immediate visible removal

Considerations:

• High exposure to urushiol (rash risk)

• Unseen broken roots frequently regrow

• Difficult to fully remove mature root systems

• Time-intensive and physically demanding

• Often requires repeat efforts

DIY methods may reduce visible growth temporarily but rarely result in permanent eradication of established poison ivy or invasive species.

2. Goat Grazing

Pros:

• Chemical-free foliage removal

• Can clear large surface areas quickly

Considerations:

• Removes leaves but not the root system

• Regrowth is common

• May require multiple seasons of grazing

• Can disturb surrounding vegetation

Goats are effective at defoliation, but without root elimination, many invasive species return.

3. General Landscape Consumer Products

Pros:

• Easily accessible

• Moderate upfront cost

Considerations:

• Many consumer products are not as strong

• Often kill foliage but not the root system

• Repeat applications commonly required

• Risk of over-application due to lack of flexibility in herbicide formulation

• Limited precision around valued plants

Homeowner applications can weaken plants but often do not achieve long-term control of established invasive vegetation.

4. Professional Targeted Eradication (Our Approach)

Pros:

• Licensed applicators trained through MDAR

• Targeted application methods

• Professional-grade formulations

• Root-system elimination

• Written guarantee

• Designed for permanent control

Considerations:

• Higher upfront investment

Our process is designed not merely to suppress visible growth, but to eliminate the root system and prevent regrowth. This reduces long-term cost, repeat disturbance, and ongoing exposure.

Long-Term Perspective

Temporary control may appear less expensive at first. However, repeat treatments, regrowth, property damage (in the case of aggressive invasive species like Japanese knotweed), and ongoing maintenance can significantly increase total cost over time.

For many homeowners, especially those concerned with property value and long-term landscape health, a permanent solution offers greater overall value.

On occasion, we may use triclopyr in situations where it is the more appropriate tool for the specific plant species or site conditions.

Triclopyr can act more quickly on certain woody or vine-type vegetation, including poison ivy. It is also somewhat selective, meaning it is less likely to affect certain grasses and conifers when applied properly.

However, like all herbicides, it has different environmental characteristics than glyphosate. Triclopyr has greater soil mobility under some conditions and requires careful product selection and application technique, particularly near sensitive areas.

For this reason, glyphosate remains our primary product of choice due to its soil-binding properties and predictable environmental behavior. Triclopyr is used selectively and only when site conditions make it the better technical option.

As with all products we use, applications are made by licensed applicators following labeled instructions and Massachusetts regulatory guidelines.