What characteristic is essential for effective baits in pest control?

The essential characteristic for effective baits in pest control is that they must attract target pests and deliver the active ingredient. This is crucial for successful pest management because the primary goal of using baits is not only to lure the specific pest but also to ensure that they ingest the active ingredient that will effectively control or eliminate them. An effective bait combines palatability to the target species with a formulation that allows the pest to consume a lethal dose of the pesticide, ultimately leading to the desired reduction of the pest population.

Baits that are unattractive to the intended pests will not be consumed, rendering them ineffective regardless of active ingredient potency. Additionally, if the bait does not effectively deliver the active ingredient, it will fail to provide any control over the pest population. The other characteristics, while they may have their contexts within the broader scope of pest management, do not inherently guarantee that the bait will be effective in reducing pest numbers in the way described.