Herbicide vs. Pesticide: Key Differences Explained

Understanding the differences between herbicides and pesticides can be confusing. Herbicides are pesticides, so in some ways, they’re the same thing. However, there are still clear distinctions between herbicides and other pesticides, and these differences can influence which products you use to treat specific areas. 

Herbicides kill plants that destroy other plants in an area, such as parasitic weeds in a lawn. Depending on the plants, you may need selective or nonselective herbicides to ward off pests. Pesticides address various pest issues, including rodents, insects, fungi, and other pests.

Familiarize yourself with your grass type so you can select the best herbicides for your lawn care needs. Warm-season grass herbicides like celsius herbicide and cool-season grass herbicides vary and should be applied based on the season and the type of grass. For more information on the relationship between pest control methods, continue reading below. 

Why are post-emergents like celsius herbicide best for warm-season weeds?

Knowing the type of weedkiller to use for warm and cold season turf is essential for the health of your lawn. Warm-season grasses like broadleaf and dandelion are better controlled with warm-season weed control products like celsius herbicide and post-emergents, as they do not have heat restrictions. Cooler grasses respond better to pre-emergent herbicides, as these target cool-season turf weeds like carpetweed and crabgrass. 

What is a pesticide?

A pesticide is a product used to kill off pests. The pesticide is sprayed on the target (the object the pests gravitate toward, e.g., weeds or specific kinds of plants). When the pest makes contact with the target, it is poisoned and killed. Pesticides kill and repel a range of pests, whereas herbicides like celsius herbicide are predominantly considered weed controllers. 

What is considered to be a pest?

An environmental pest is anything that hinders food accessibility, harms or damages property, or spreads disease. Weeds, microorganisms, certain birds, rodents, and insects are considered pests. Depending on the type of pests causing the problem, you’ll need specific types of pesticides to remedy the situation, which may include herbicides like celsius herbicide, rodenticides, fungicides, or insecticides.

What are herbicides?

Herbicides, like celsius herbicide, are pesticides used for pest control and come in either selective or nonselective forms. Since herbicides are primarily used to target weeds and other destructive plants, they are most commonly used on residential lawns and gardens or larger areas such as farming land, waste grounds, industrial regions, and railways. 

When should you use selective vs. nonselective herbicides?

Depending on your goals for your lawn, there are reasons to choose selective or nonselective herbicides. Here are some examples of when to use one vs. the other: 

• Selective herbicides like celsius herbicide kill weeds but not the surrounding plants. For instance, if the issue is a specific broadleaf weed, your best bet is to use a selective herbicide to kill off the broadleaf weeds without hurting the health of the rest of your lawn.

• Options like post-emergents like celsius herbicide can address the targeted weeds without harming the rest of your lawn.

• Nonselective herbicides kill all vegetation in a given area. If an entire area has caused issues for your lawn’s health, nonselective herbicides will do a better job killing off all plants in the targeted region that you need to eliminate to restore your lawn’s health.

• Reserve nonselective herbicides for areas where plants shouldn’t grow to begin with. These areas may include sidewalk cracks, driveways, and fence rows.

• You can apply treatment generously in these areas as there is no plant you’re trying to avoid harming in the process. If your aim is to eradicate all plants in a region where plants aren’t supposed to grow, nonselective herbicides are the best option.

How do you know what kind of pests you have?

If you are not sure what is destroying your lawn, it may be in your best interest to involve a pest control expert. Involving a pest control expert is done to rule out whether specific rodents or bugs are playing a role. Clues like nibbles and small tunnels can indicate if pests like rodents or gophers are destroying your lawn. 

In other cases, the underlying issues may be destructive plants, such as parasitic weeds. These weeds may attempt to kill other plants by attaching to their stems and roots to take over. As a result of these weeds, a pest infestation can occur, requiring the appropriate herbicides, like celsius herbicide, to address the problem. 

Did you know weed and pest controllers have clear distinctions that affect lawn health?

There are apparent differences between herbicides and pesticides. Essentially, herbicides like celsius herbicide are weed control products that attack weeds and other destructive plants, whereas pesticides repel other pests beyond plants. Depending on what’s causing the destruction, a combination of pesticides may be needed to treat an area. 

Read Also: Tips for Fertilization and Weed Control