5 Steps To Start A Business To Remove Poison Ivy

There are various steps to start a poison ivy removal business. There are many small business startup consulting services for quick growth. Touching the oil, urushiol, on the poison ivy leaves causes more than 70% of the population to break out in an irritating rash. Certainly, this demand creates an opportunity to remove toxic plants from residential and commercial properties. To get rid of poison ivy completely, you have to dig out/kill the roots, stems and leaves. As an entrepreneur, find a smart and sterilized way to clear poison ivy plants for your clients. Follow the steps below to start a poison ivy removal business.

Plan Your Business

Start your poison ivy removal company by planning out your business. Determine startup costs, who your target audience is and how much you will charge. Since this business involves minimal costs, you can operate from home. Then, you need to purchase basic equipment including goggles, gloves and trash bags. Factoring in these costs, you can start your poison ivy removal business for around $5,000. Use these funds for a professional website, basic equipment and advertisement purposes. Definitely plan your business when starting your poison ivy removal company.

Know The Difference Between Poisonous Plants

Next, learn the difference between poisonous plants. Often times, poison ivy is confused with poison oak. Typically, poison ivy grows in a low shrub, in a vine around a tree or building, or as a patch on the ground. The leaves start green and clusters in three leaves per stem. In the summer they are yellowish and in the fall they can be yellow or red. They can be dull or glossy but have pointy tips, resembling a raindrop. According to the CDC, you can find poison ivy in every state besides California, Alaska and Hawaii. Of course, removing the wrong plant can be why your startup fails. Certainly, differentiate poison ivy from other plants when creating a poison ivy removal company. 

Determine Removal Method

Of course, determine the removal method you will use for your poison ivy business. To eliminate the plant, you can use chemical herbicides, homemade weed killers or conduct some weeding. Chemical herbicides rapidly kill poison ivy across a large surface. However, as chemical herbicides are not eco-friendly, clients may prefer homemade weed killers. These weed killers are made of one cup salt, one tablespoon white vinegar and one tablespoon dish soap mixed with a gallon of water. Place the liquid into a spray bottle and cover the plant in the mixture. Furthermore, you can also eradicate the plant by weeding. Dig around the plant with a sharp shovel and completely remove the roots. Definitely determine your removal method when creating a poison ivy removal business.

Disposal Method

Furthermore, discover a safe disposal method when building a poison ivy removal business. This process requires trash bags, tape and protective equipment. When removing poison ivy, place the plant in a secured heavy-duty plastic bag. This prevents others from being exposed to the irritating oil and allows for easy disposal. Burning or composting processes can carry the urushiol oil into the air causing health complications. After enclosing the weed securely, you can dispose of the trash bag with your regular garbage. Of course, discover a safe disposal method when starting a poison ivy removal business.

Follow Safety Procedures

Finally, follow safety procedures to protect yourself against poison ivy. Ensure that you are wearing the correct equipment to avoid contamination. Wear vinyl gloves, pants, long sleeved shirts, shoes with high socks and eye protection. Use hand tools to remove the plant as power tools, such as weed-whackers, distribute the urushiol oil around the property and into the air. After removing the plant, wash everything thoroughly with soap and water as urushiol toxins remain active up to 5 years. This includes your skin, tools and protective gear. Wash your clothes normally with detergent and water. Certainly follow safety procedures when starting a poison ivy removal business.

There are several steps to starting a poison ivy removal business. First, plan your business to determine the starting costs, target audience and removal charge rate. Next, be able to differentiate which plants are poison ivy to pinpoint what needs to be removed. Of course, determine your removal method as clients may prefer more environmentally safe removal processes. Furthermore, discover a safe disposal method to avoid spreading the rash caused by the plant. Finally, follow safety procedures to know how to prevent contamination and to sanitize your equipment properly. Certainly remember to manage your rising startup during times of increasing demand. Follow these steps to start a poison ivy removal business.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Scroll To Top