What is Herbicide?
Just as pesticide is used to rid an area of unwanted pests, herbicide is used to get rid of unwanted plant life. Unwanted plants include weeds, brush, unproductive bushes or trees, and other growth that takes nutrients away from crops and other useful plants. Many herbicides are synthetic and can be toxic to “good” plants, as well as to animals and humans. While there are organic herbicides, it is important to read labels carefully to insure that people, pets, livestock and useful vegetation won’t be harmed by their use. Herbicides are available in two main types: nonselective and selective. A nonselective herbicide is used to kill all growth and is generally reserved for agricultural use or for clearing large or heavily overgrown areas. On the other hand, a selective herbicide is used to target certain types of plant life. This form works to curb growth, usually through some type of hormone disruption, and should not effect other vegetation. For the home gardener, nonselective herbici
