Extracting urushiol

There is a patent (3,819,726) that involves:

• nitrogen atmosphere
• ethanol leaf extraction
• benzine concentration

I only need a solution to treat some campaign signs in my front yard. So I'll simplify it to:

• collect plant leaves in a mason jar wearing protection
• muddle the leaves in grain alcohol
• let settle for 24-48 hours
• filter
• low temperature, 160 F, evaporate most of the alcohol (OUT SIDE with protection)

Place signs in yard far enough from curb that four legged critters shouldn't reach. Paint the edges with the alcohol-urushiol liquor on a dry day. The ethanol should evaporate and the urushiol be somewhat water resistant.

The sealed, liquor container is outside soap washed and kept away from easy reach. The processing equipment and material along with used brushes go into plastic bags in small boxes in the trash.

Will have spare signs and warn neighbors about the signs. During a previous campaign, I draped and taped poison ivy leaf strands on top the second set of signs which stayed through the election.

Bob Wilson

 

I'm OK with 70-85% effective. BTW, the oil transfers to other surfaces.

Bob Wilson