Selective vs. Non-Selective Herbicides

What I’d like to discuss today is the difference between selective and non-selective herbicides.

There is a product on the market that is very popular called Round-Up. This product is a vegetation killer. This product does not distinguish between a dandelion in your lawn or grass growing in the cracks of a sidewalk. If it is green, this product can be used to kill it. It is therefore referred to as a non-selective herbicide.

Another very popular product on the market is called Weed-B-Gone. This product is also a vegetation killer. However, this product’s purpose is to kill only broadleaf plants (or weeds). Because this product will not harm the grass in your turf, it is considered a selective herbicide.

If you are looking for a product to spot-treat broadleaf weeds in your lawn, you must select a product that is a selective herbicide. Otherwise, instead of just killing a weed here and there in your lawn, you will end up with dead spots wherever you have sprayed. If, on the other hand, your intent is to get rid of vegetation from the cracks of the sidewalk or from a mulched portion of a flower bed, you will want to use a non-selective herbicide. Oftentimes the undesirable plants you will find in the cracks or sticking up through the mulch will be a combination of both weedy grasses and broadleaf weeds.

The important thing to remember here is that if you are looking for a product to use on your lawn, it must be a selective herbicide - a product that will select out and kill only dandelions, plantain, thistle, or whatever broadleaf weeds may be in your lawn.

My advice to anyone that is unfamiliar with lawn chemicals is to be sure and describe accurately to your store clerk the type of plant you are trying to kill and to explain to them whether it is in your lawn or not.

I mention these two different kinds of herbicides today because, first, I have seen all too often the results of a homeowner unknowingly spot spraying their lawn with a product that is non-selective, such as Round-Up. It is not a pretty picture. And secondly, I have seen the frustration of homeowners repeatedly trying to kill different types of grass in the cracks of their sidewalks or the mulch of their flower beds with a selective broadleaf weed killer, such as Weed-B-Gone.

My final note here is that you must always read and understand the entire instructions on the label of any yard chemical you might use.Also, follow any instructions and take any precations that are advised.

NEXT TIME: Granular Fertilizer Spreaders

P.S. If you find any of my posts helpful or if you have any comments or recommendations, I would be grateful to hear from you.