Herbicides can either be contact (applied and targeting only the parts of the plant where the chemical is deposited) or systemic (applied to the leaf or root structure of the plant in which the chemical may be absorbed and transported throughout the plant). Some herbicides are non-selective meaning that the chemical will target any and all growth (grass, broad leaf weeds, shrubs, etc). Selective herbicides target specific plants such as broad leaf weed control which will not damage the turf grass while applied on a lawn. Herbicides may act as growth regulators, interfere with the plants natural chemical synthesis, or effect a seeds germination habit. As with all pesticides, please read and follow all label instructions.

Insecticides can either be systemic (absorbed through the plant and then ingested by the insect through feeding) or contact (applied directly to the insect or picked up by the insect moving through an area which has the insecticide on it). Insecticides may be selective (attacks only specific insects) or broad-spectrum (affects a wide range of insects).

Fungicides may be used as a preventative or corrective measure; they can work by either preventing or interfering with the germination process of the fungal spores or destroy the fungus outright. Contact fungicides will not be absorbed by the plant's tissue and will only remain active on the surface of the plant in the location applied. This is beneficial since it rarely leads to the fungi building a resistance against the fungicide since the residual does not last long. Penetration fungicides may also be an option. This sort of fungicide not only penetrates the leaf of the plant (in which it can then travel to other portions of the plant) but may also be used as a contact fungicide. Penetration fungicides can be used to protect new growth from potential fungus attacks (especially if susceptible, such as perennial rye grass).