Ben, an extension agent joining the webinar from Washington County, said herbicide use can rise as homeowners remove lawns and install gravel or mulch because weeds become more visible. “Read the label,” he said, adding that the label answers most common questions about where and how to apply a product and what protective equipment is required.

Why it matters: improper herbicide application can harm desirable trees and shrubs, produce health risks for applicators and waste money when users overapply concentrated products.

Key takeaways from Ben:
- Read the label before applying. Labels specify allowed application sites (for example, “do not spray under trees”), personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements and application rates. Ben noted that you cannot wear less PPE than what the label requires.
- PPE and safe handling. For many herbicides the minimum PPE includes closed‑toed shoes, long pants, gloves and sometimes eye protection; respirators are usually not required for typical homeowner herbicides but labels control what’s required.
- Concentrates vs. RTU. Many herbicides are sold as concentrates to be mixed at a label rate; others are RTU (ready‑to‑use). Using the correct mixing ratio matters because more is not necessarily better and overapplication can increase plant damage and cost.
- Pre‑emergent herbicides must be watered in to activate. Ben said pre‑emergents create a barrier in the soil that prevents germination and generally last about three months depending on the product; if they are applied but not watered in, they will not work.

The webinar included no formal actions. Presenters offered contact information and extension resources for site‑specific pesticide advice and encouraged users to consult county extension offices or master gardener volunteers for diagnosis and product guidance.