What is a non-selective pesticide?

A non-selective pesticide is defined as a pesticide that affects the targeted pest and many other organisms. This type of pesticide is designed to eliminate a wide range of pests without distinguishing between beneficial and harmful organisms. For instance, when applied, non-selective pesticides can kill weeds, insects, and other non-target species that come into contact with the chemical, which can lead to a significant impact on the ecosystem.

This broad-spectrum action is particularly useful in situations where complete eradication of all types of unwanted species is necessary, such as in industrial settings or on hard surfaces where specific selectivity is less of a concern. However, it is important to use such pesticides judiciously due to their potential to harm beneficial organisms and disrupt ecological balance.

In contrast, the other options describe more selective actions or specific usages of pesticides. A pesticide that targets only weeds would be considered selective, while one that targets specific insects would also be selective. A pesticide that is used only indoors also does not relate to the concept of selectivity and mainly addresses application location rather than the broad impact of the pesticide.