What type of pesticides are designed to control weeds?

Herbicides are specifically designed to control weeds by targeting and inhibiting their growth or causing their death. These chemical compounds can effectively manage unwanted plant species in agricultural, landscaping, and residential settings. They work in various ways, such as by interfering with the photosynthesis process, inhibiting enzyme activity vital for plant growth, or causing cellular disruption within the plant.

In contrast, insecticides are used to eliminate or manage insect populations, rodenticides target rodent pests, and fungicides are formulated to combat fungal diseases in plants. Each of these pesticide types serves a distinct purpose related to different categories of pests, making herbicides the appropriate answer when discussing the control of weeds.