Simply look for the characteristic three leaflets. Virginia Creeper is frequently mistaken for poison ivy, but can be distinguished by its five leaflets compared to the three of poison ivy. The three leaflets growing in a group attached to a common stem will be your warming that it is probably poison ivy or poison oak. Plants may take on several forms. They may grow as a woody vine attached to trees or other objects of support, as trailing shrubs mostly on the ground or they may be erect woody shrubs growing entirely without support.
Spring is a good time to control poison ivy and poison oak plants.
Poison ivy sprays with phenoxy herbicide are also good. Use with extreme caution. Always use herbicides on a calm day when no wind is blowing, and never allow the spray to contact desirable plants. Repeat spray if required.