With planting season upon us, it’s time to break out those
gardening tools, give your irrigation system a seasonal inspection, and get
ready to enjoy lush, green landscapes once again. Regardless of your locale,
you likely have a few unwanted pests and weeds that threaten your lawn. Here
are some basics about pesticides,
and some tips about how to decide whether you need an herbicide, fungicide or
an insecticide.
What’s Classified as
a Pesticide?
Because the suffix “cide” means “killer”, pesticides are any
man-made chemicals that are meant to kill pests – specifically, weeds, fungi,
or insects. Herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides are all types of
pesticides. These chemicals typically work in one of two ways: by ingestion or
contact. However, some may kill by shutting down respiration post-contact and
work over time.
When to Use an
Insecticide
Insecticide use should be minimal, as runoff is
intrinsically harmful to the environment. However, when you need to eliminate
or control insects in the garden, responsible insecticide
products may be necessary. Whether it’s fire ants, snails, wasps,
roaches, or flies giving you fits, you’ll find several variations of
insecticides ranging from sprays to powders that will get the job done. Many
turn into non-toxic agents after their usefulness has deteriorated, making them
more environmentally friendly.
Herbicides: Their
Role in Landscaping and Gardening
Herbicides serve to curtail specific kinds of plants from
growing in the garden, and they are mainly used for weed control or to kill
non-native grasses that invade lawns. There are many options among organic
herbicides and inorganic herbicides, and some called selective
herbicides only kill very specific variations of weeds and plants,
while others are non-selective
herbicides that may kill everything.
Control Funky Fungus
with Fungicides
There’s nothing more disastrous to a burgeoning garden or
fruit tree than fungus and mold that literally rots everything away to a stinky
mess. Applying a preventive fungicide can stop the proliferation of fungus
before it starts, while fungicide
eradicants can help stave off developments on plants that were not
pre-treated. Fungicide prevention is recommended for commercial operations and
in locales where fungi prosper.
Don’t forget to take a moment to explore our vast assortment
of chemicals
and fertilizers and landscape irrigation supplies keep your lawn and
garden in top shape. Still have questions about what applications are right for
you? Give us a call at Irrigation Outlet or contact us online.
