Goats May Be the Solution to New Jersey Town’s Poison Ivy Problem
OutdoorHub Reporters 08.10.12
An extensive infestation of poison ivy in an environmentally-sensitive area of New Jersey has officials searching for an alternative way to get rid of the problem plant.
Officials in the shore town of Seaside Park already decided they cannot burn the harmful flora, nor can they use chemicals to get rid of it since the patch overlooks Barnegat Bay.
It has been suggested that the town use 15 to 18 goats from Maryland to eat away all the poison ivy plants. This will not harm the goats, as goats and other grazers regularly eat poison ivy with no ill effect. Only humans are vulnerable to poison ivy, according to poison-ivy.org.
Officials estimate that the cost to get rid of the plants using the “goat method” will cost between $15,000 to $20,000, which includes the cost of two handlers to monitor the goats. It is anticipated that it would take the goats up to three weeks to remove all the poison ivy.
