Chemical Use and Commercial Landscapes - Herbicides

Let's face it, Chemicals are all around us in many forms. Some good, some bad and some of them we can't live without. Chemicals are especially effective in the control of pests, whether they are bugs or plants. Here is some quick information on Herbicides, the type of chemical used to handle common plant pests.

Herbicides, also commonly known as weed killers, are pesticides used to kill unwanted plants. Selective herbicides kill specific targets, while leaving the desired crop or plant relatively unharmed. Some of these act by interfering with the growth of the weed and are often synthetic mimics of natural plant hormones. Herbicides used to clear waste ground, industrial sites, railways and railway embankments are not selective and kill all plant material with which they come into contact. Smaller quantities are used in forestry, pasture systems, and management of areas set aside as wildlife habitat.

There are some plants that produce natural herbicides, such as walnuts, or the tree of heaven; such action of natural herbicides, and other related chemical interactions, is called allelopathy.

Herbicides are widely used in agriculture and landscape turf management. In the US, they account for about 70% of all agricultural pesticide use.

Dangers of Herbicides

These chemicals can represent a serious health hazard to adults, but they are especially hazardous to children and pets. Texas A&M University notes that exposure to herbicides can produce mild symptoms, such as rashes, nausea and headaches; but can also result in more dangerous symptoms including seizures and convulsions; and even death. 

Mindful use of herbicides is Important for the health and safety of all. If your landscape is properly maintained, herbicides will generally not be necessary. When they are needed, use them as part of an integrated management program that includes good cultural practices. Remember no single herbicide will control all lawn weeds, and not all herbicides can be used on all lawn species. You must identify your weed problem(s) and turfgrass species before choosing an herbicide. A few of the most serious lawn weeds, such as some perennial grasses, cannot be effectively controlled with herbicides without killing the turfgrass near them as well.

More importantly you can let Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance do all the landscape work for you and take the burden off your shoulders all together.  Give us a call at 623-848-8277 and let’s talk about it.

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Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC
623-848-8277
http://www.commerciallandscapecare.com
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