As the temperatures rise, people think about having a picnic or a barbecue on the lawn. This means that you need to maintain your yard.

However, ignoring to research weeds can lead to unsightly brown spots. How can you get rid of weeds in your lawn without causing damage?

Here are some tips from Spectracide, the manufacturer of pesticides and herbicides.

* Choose the best herbicide to kill the weeds. The majority of herbicides can be divided into two groups: selective and non-selective. A selective herbicide is required to kill weeds in lawns that are already established or on small areas surrounding trees, shrubs, and flowers.

Use a nonselective herbicide if you have large projects or don’t want plants growing, such as on concrete and brick walkways, driveways and patios.

Spend a few moments to read the labels. You should be able to see clearly on labels whether a herbicide you are using is selective or non-selective. Non-selective herbicides will kill any vegetation that they come into contact with. While selective herbicides are specific and only affect the weeds on the label, they do not harm nontarget plants.

* Consider the size of the area that you’ll be treating. You have three options when applying selective or non-selective herbicides. Concentrated formulas are best for large areas. Mix it with water, then spray with a tank sprayer or with a ready to use spray bottle that has a hose-end attachment. A ready-to-use spray can suffice for spot treatments.

* Time your attack wisely. Use herbicides only on sunny days when temperatures are at least 60 degrees. Keep your application to the sidelines if you are expecting rain. Pay attention to the label instructions and always read them. Different products have different applications and usage rates.

* Know what to expect. You don’t need to worry about it being washed away by the rain once the herbicide has dried. Because many herbicides are only effective in killing existing weeds — they’re not preventative — you will need to deal with any new weeds as soon as they emerge.

A guide to education is available on the website of Spectracide. “Targeting the Enemy: Weeds & Grass — Make Your Lawn a Weed-Free Zone,”You can also find online videos with tips and tricks for applying herbicides. For more information, please visit www.spectracide.com.