What is the name for chemicals used to kill weeds?

A Bordeaux mixture of copper sulfate and lime kills fungal pests on grapes and melons. Carbaryl or Malathion kills insect pests by causing nerve damage and disrupting life sustaining nerve impulses. Metaldehyde kills slugs and snails in the same way.

It always is important to read labels and follow proper procedures and instructions when mixing, applying and storing chemicals. Specifically, some chemicals are more indiscriminate, long lasting, powerful or toxic than others. For example, metaldehyde effectively stops slug and snail damage to edibles. But there must be no contact between it and children or domestic animals.