The Dos and Don'ts of Safe and Effective Herbicide Application: Part 1

Written by Jacob Luken
​Disclaimer: This series is informational only and does not act as a substitute for the Indiana Pesticide Applicators Certification. For more information on obtaining an Indiana Pesticide Applicator License please see the Office of the Indiana State Chemist.

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Whether applying on a ¼ acre lot in the city or on hundreds of acres of farmland or woodland property chances are you will eventually need to apply some form of herbicides to control unwanted plants. Herbicides can be one of our greatest tools for plant management - from controlling unwanted weeds between the cracks of the sidewalk to maintaining farm fields or removing invasive species – so it is important to know how to best protect ourselves and our environment from unwanted effects of herbicides.
Join Hamilton County Soil and Water on our multi-part series covering the dos and don’ts of herbicide selection and application where we will discuss everything you need to know about safely selecting and applying herbicides to manage unwanted and invasive plants on your property. 

What is an Herbicide?

Photo from invasives.org

An herbicide is a chemical substance used to control or kill unwanted plants, such as weeds. Herbicides can be selective or non-selective:

1. Selective Herbicides: These are designed to target specific types of plants while leaving other plants unharmed. For example, certain herbicides might kill broadleaf weeds while sparing grasses.
2. Non-Selective Herbicides: These kill all types of plants they come into contact with. They are typically used in areas where no plant growth is desired, such as driveways, sidewalks, and industrial sites.

Herbicides are commonly used in agriculture, gardening, landscaping, and lawn care to manage and reduce weed competition with crops and desired plants. They can be applied in various forms, including liquids, granules, and powders, and through different methods, such as spraying, soil incorporation, or as part of integrated pest management practices.

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Why do we use Herbicides?

Herbicides are used for various purposes across different sectors, including agriculture, forestry, landscaping, and urban management. Here are some of the primary uses of herbicides:

1. Agriculture:
   • Weed Control: Herbicides are widely used to control weeds that compete with crops for nutrients, water, and light. This helps in increasing crop yields and improving the quality of the produce.
   • Pre-Emergent Herbicides: Applied before the crops and weeds emerge, these herbicides prevent weed seeds from germinating.
   • Post-Emergent Herbicides: Used after the crops and weeds have emerged, these target and kill actively growing weeds.
2. Forestry:
   • Site Preparation: Herbicides help prepare forest sites for planting new trees by removing competing vegetation.
   • Vegetation Management: Used to control unwanted vegetation that competes with trees, herbicides support forest growth and health.
3. Landscaping and Lawn Care:
   • Aesthetic Maintenance: Herbicides are used to keep lawns, gardens, parks, and other landscaped areas free of weeds, enhancing their appearance.
   • Invasive Species Control: They help manage invasive plant species that can disrupt local ecosystems and outcompete native plants.
4. Urban and Industrial Areas:
   • Pavement and Infrastructure Maintenance: Herbicides are used to control weeds on sidewalks, driveways, roadsides, and other urban infrastructures.
   • Railways and Utility Lines: They are applied to keep railway tracks, utility lines, and other industrial sites clear of vegetation that can cause safety hazards or maintenance issues.
5. Aquatic Weed Control:
   • Waterways Management: Herbicides are used to manage weeds in ponds, lakes, canals, and other water bodies, ensuring these areas remain navigable and preventing the spread of invasive aquatic plants.
6. Conservation and Habitat Restoration:
   • Habitat Management: Herbicides are used to control invasive plant species and manage vegetation in natural habitats, helping to restore and maintain native plant communities and biodiversity.
7. Rights-of-Way Management:
   • Infrastructure Protection: Herbicides help manage vegetation along power lines, pipelines, and roadsides to prevent plant growth from interfering with infrastructure operations and maintenance.

In all these uses, careful application and management are essential to minimize environmental impact and ensure the safety of non-target plants, animals, and humans.

Photo from invasives.org