Poison oak removal in San Diego County — the goats eat it

Why poison oak is so hard to get rid of

Poison oak regrows from its roots, so cutting it back barely slows it down — and cutting or pulling it exposes crews to the urushiol oil that causes the rash. Spraying leaves dead, dry, still-flammable stalks behind, plus chemicals near your yard, well, or the creek. And in San Diego County it thrives exactly where it's hardest to reach: shady oak understory and steep canyon walls across the backcountry from Julian to Alpine.

Goats eat poison oak — and it doesn't bother them

Goats browse poison oak readily; the oil that wrecks human skin has no effect on them. They strip the leaves and stems, and repeated grazing over a season or two steadily weakens the roots — without a drop of herbicide. It's the safest way to knock poison oak back around homes with kids, pets, and livestock.

• No herbicides and no chemical runoff near your home, well, or garden
• No sparks — goats can't ignite the dry brush they're clearing
• Sure-footed on steep, rocky slopes that are unsafe for mowers and crews
• They eat poison oak, blackberry, star thistle, and other invasives
• No cut debris to chip, bag, burn, or haul to the dump
• Quiet, no diesel fumes, no dust — and the neighbors love watching

What else the herd clears

While they're at it, goats happily eat blackberry brambles, star thistle, French and Scotch broom, and other invasive weeds that machines and crews struggle with — the whole tangle, not just the tops.

Frequently asked

Do goats get rid of poison oak permanently?

One grazing knocks it way back; because poison oak resprouts from the roots, a follow-up graze the next season or two is the most effective way to weaken and control it long-term — still with no chemicals.

Is it safe around my family and pets?

Yes. There are no herbicides involved and the goats stay behind portable electric fencing. One tip: don't pet or brush against the herd right after they've grazed poison oak, since the oil can linger on their coats for a while.

Can goats reach poison oak on a steep canyon slope?

That's their specialty — sure-footed on ground that's unsafe for a crew or a mower. Steep, shady canyons are exactly where poison oak grows and where goats do their best work.

Serving all of San Diego County

We bring the herd across the county — Ramona, Julian, Poway, Escondido, Fallbrook, Alpine, and many more. Related: defensible space & PRC 4291.