Are Herbicides Safe? 4 Things to Know
No matter where you live, weed control is a beneficial component of any lawn care program. Managing these pesky plants can be addressed in numerous ways, but aside from spending hours on your knees doing backbreaking work, the majority of weed control solutions involve chemical products. Herbicides are an effective way to manage the growth of lawn weeds, but they can contain hazardous chemicals.
It’s important to understand certain details about herbicides to protect yourself, your property, and the environment. In this article from Green-Way Pro, we’ll address the four things that everyone should know before using herbicides or other chemicals for weed control. For more information about herbicide safety and best practices for lawn care, please contact our professional team of contractors today!
Choose the Right Type of Herbicide
Herbicides can be categorized into a number of different classes based on the way that they work and the lawncare issues they aim to address. In general, however, these solutions can be grouped into two main varieties: selective and non-selective.
Selective herbicides, as the name suggests, are used to target specific types of weeds without causing harm to surrounding grass or plants. Non-selective herbicides are generally used for large-scale weed roundup on farms because they eliminate invasive crops as well as the flora around them. For these reasons, selective herbicides are a better option for residential plots, and non-selective varieties are more often used on commercial and agricultural properties. However, non-selective herbicides may be a good option for gardeners when they wish to clear out a section of soil and cultivate a new planting area.
Whether you opt for a targeted or broadband variety of herbicide, be sure to check the label to see when it’s best to apply. Some herbicides are pre-emergent, meaning they are applied to the soil before weeds begin to sprout; other herbicides are post-emergent, meaning they are sprayed directly onto leaves and plant surfaces. Pre-emergent herbicides produce the best results when applied in the late stages of winter and early spring, whereas post-emergents achieve optimal performance in the warmer months of growth leading up to summer.
Consequences of High Herbicide Concentration
Many people might think that chemical solutions work better when administered in higher concentrations, but this is not the case when it comes to herbicides. Although some lawn weeds can be exterminated after one session of spraying, it usually takes two or more rounds of treatment before an herbicide can nix the leafy little nuisances.
What matters more than a high concentration of herbicides is the consistency of application. Keep an eye on the way your yard, plants, and weeds are responding to the herbicide, and be patient with the process — weeds take weeks to grow, so it makes sense that a few applications of solution will be required to completely nip them in the bud. If you use a product that claims to kill weeds in one session, it’s likely a non-selective variety that will wreak havoc on your grass and garden.
Herbicide Success Rates Aren’t Universal
Herbicides may come in liquid or granular (dry) form, but these are not always equal in terms of effectiveness. Sprayable, liquid herbicides are shown to have higher success rates than their granular counterparts. This is because they provide better coverage and take less time to apply. Granular products are less precise when used for spot treatments of weedy areas, and they can easily spread to other areas like your lawn. If you garden or grow crops, you definitely want to avoid the spread of chemicals, so a quick-drying liquid herbicide is the safest option for homeowners — especially those with small children or outdoor pets.
Use Herbicides as a Last Resort
Herbicides are commonly used, but that doesn’t mean they’re always necessary. With proper yard maintenance and proactive weed control measures, it’s entirely possible to cultivate a lush lawn before resorting to harsh chemicals. If you’re tired of dealing with the weeds in your lawn and want to find a natural solution to eradicate them, your best bet is to work with a professional lawn care company. Green-Way Pro is the leading provider of landscaping services and property maintenance in the Western Slope. Contact us today for more information on how we can help you develop an effective weed control solution!