[Ditter]

Poison ivy in Maine or were you someplace else?

We have some serious poison ivy in Texas and I am extremely sensitive to it. I am VERY careful!

[Kenny Bunk]

Yes Mrs. D. I fought the PI Wars in Maine. An awful lot of ME is second growth woods and overgrown former farms, and a heaven for growing Poison Ivy. Reclaiming the patch around the house can be a daunting proposition.

It is relatively safe to handle the leafless woody parts after it's been 20 below a few times, but the stuff is incredibly poisonous, even the chips or sawdust, and the smoke is downright dangerous if you're thinking of the napalm method. Not for the faint of heart. Rainy day, dawn, no wind, and you didn't hear it from me.

The local Indians had a way of desensitizing themselves to PI, but I would never risk it, and if I told you the secret, I would have to ... you know the rest!

If you do get a dose, go to the beach and stay under salt water until it goes away. Might take a week in the Bahamas!