Which type of pesticide is specifically designed to target unwanted plants?

Herbicides are specifically formulated to target unwanted plants, commonly known as weeds. They work by inhibiting various processes within the plant, such as photosynthesis or other critical metabolic functions, which ultimately leads to the plant's death or stunted growth. Herbicides can be selective, targeting specific types of plants while leaving desired plants unharmed, or non-selective, affecting any plant they come into contact with.

In contrast, insecticides are designed to control insect pests, focusing on targeting their biological processes. Rodenticides specifically aim to eliminate rodent populations, while fungicides are used to combat fungal diseases affecting plants and crops. Each of these categories serves a distinct purpose related to their respective target organisms, making herbicides uniquely suited for managing plant overgrowth and weed competition in agricultural and landscaping contexts.