What Are Herbicides?

Types

• Herbicides have two broad categories: selective and general. Selective herbicides aim at destroying only particular weeds that grow with cultivated plants. General herbicides destroy all plants that come in contact with them. This means that general herbicides are not for farm use, as they may destroy your crops too.

Applications

• Growers choose selective herbicides wisely and are mostly use them in farms and household plants. These herbicides will destroy only the unwanted weeds that came up with plants and will not affect the plants that you wanted to cultivate. On the other hand, general herbicides get use in areas where all you need to destroy all kinds of plant growth. Such herbicides are mostly in industrial areas, roadways, rail tracks, pasture systems and areas near a pool.

Forms Available

• Methods of applying the herbicide depend upon the form it comes in, the weeds you are targetting and the crops you need to be retain or protect. Herbicides may be in solid forms like powders or granules, in liquid forms or in the form of aerosols. While you can apply some herbicides directly to the plants or weeds, you need to mix others with the soil itself around the weeds.

Security Measures

• Some herbicides are highly volatile and can cause health related issues such as nausea, headache, skin rashes, irritation in eyes and throat and breathing problems. To be on the safe side, always wear gloves and a mask while applying herbicides. Always wash the equipments thoroughly after applying the herbicide and never smoke, eat or drink anything before washing your hands.