Just the other day, I received an email from a co-worker about a gentleman who used the wrong chemical on his lawn and wiped it out entirely. It was a costly mistake, and one that I am sure he will not do again. If he had taken time to learn about the herbicide, he would not have to replace his lawn now.

A pesticide is any chemical that can be used to kill or control something. Herbicides are used to control plants, insecticides are for insects, and fungicides are used to control plant diseases. Each class of pesticide is required to have a label. The label of a chemical is your instruction manual on how to use that chemical properly and safely so you do not hurt yourself from overexposure or the environment.

There are many pieces of information on the label that are important. One of the first is a listing of active ingredients.

This list is going to tell you what the chemical is that will do the job. This might be useful if you are familiar with chemical names, but more times than not it might just be Greek.

In the case that I mentioned earlier, the gentleman did not know that one of the active ingredients was Roundup or glyphosate. Glyphosate is a herbicide that will control not only broadleaf weeds but also grass-type weeds.

Even so, he should have read the label closely because in every label, especially herbicide labels, the manufacturer will list the pests the chemical will control. This will include not only broadleaf weeds but also grasses, if it is a broad spectrum herbicide like glyphosate.

Other pieces of information given on the label are the first aid statement, environmental hazards if the chemical is used incorrectly, directions on how to use the product, where to use it and the product description. All of this information will give you a clear understanding on how the manufacturer intends its product to be used. There is a lot more information listed so the critical thing is to read the label.

The one piece of information given that everyone usually goes straight to without reading the other pieces of information is the application rate. The manufacturer will give you specific rates to use based on what you are trying to grow and the type of pests you need to control.

These rates are not suggestions. If the company could get you to use more of its product, therefore selling more bottles, then it would. Following label rates not only protects the environment, but also protects you from creating problems down the road and keeps you within the law. By law, you have to follow the label.

Pesticides are a tool to use in the landscaping and gardening toolbox. Many times a problem can be solved by making some changes to how you grow your plants, improving the soil conditions of your garden or using alternatives to pest control, like a thick layer of mulch for weed control.

When they are needed, do the right thing for yourself and your family and read the label.

Michael Wheeler is county extension coordinator for the UGA Cooperative Extension in Hall County. Contact him at 770-535-8293. His column appears weekly and on gainesvilletimes.com/life.