What characteristic is shared among pesticides?

The shared characteristic among pesticides is that they can cause harm to desired species. This is a crucial aspect to consider when using pesticides, as they are designed to target specific pests, but in doing so, they may also affect non-target organisms, including beneficial insects like pollinators, as well as pets and wildlife. Understanding this characteristic helps in making informed decisions about pesticide use, emphasizing the need for careful application and consideration of the surrounding environment. This awareness can lead to better pest management practices that aim to minimize harm to non-target species while effectively controlling pest populations.

In contrast, the other statements do not accurately represent the nature of pesticides. They are not guaranteed to be safe for pets (which highlights the risk factor), they do not exclusively work on specific pest groups since many can have a broader spectrum of activity, and all pesticides do contain active ingredients that are responsible for their effects.