Bait Refill Frequency Calculator

Site / Project name

Used in exports and team communication.

Number of bait stations

Total active stations on the site.

Daily consumption per station (g/day)

Use monitoring logs, not guesswork.

Station capacity option

Choose a preset or enter custom.

Custom capacity (g)

Used only when “Custom capacity” is selected.

Pressure factor

Higher factor means faster depletion.

Weather / exposure factor

Accounts for spoilage and reduced bait life.

Wastage allowance (%)

Handling loss, crumbs, minor scatter.

Refill threshold remaining (%)

Refill when this percent remains.

Safety early-refill (%)

Reduces interval to prevent runout.

Min visit interval (days)

Avoids unnecessary daily servicing.

Max visit interval (days)

Use your policy or inspection requirement.

Last service date

Used to compute the next refill date.

Reset

Tip: If you lack consumption logs, start with a short interval, then tune factors using measured depletion after each visit.

Example data table

Stations	Capacity (g)	Daily use (g/day)	Pressure	Weather	Threshold	Safety	Recommended interval (days)
12	500	9	1.3×	1.0×	20%	15%	~35 → clamped to 30
8	250	6	1.0×	0.9×	25%	10%	~28
20	1000	14	1.6×	1.2×	15%	20%	~30 (high usage)

The clamp prevents intervals outside your chosen visit window.

Formula used

1) Effective daily consumption per station

effective_daily = daily_g × pressure_factor × weather_factor × (1 + wastage_pct/100)

2) Consumable bait before refilling

consumable = capacity_g × (1 − threshold_pct/100)

3) Days to reach refill threshold

days_to_threshold = consumable ÷ effective_daily

4) Recommended refill interval

interval = days_to_threshold × (1 − safety_pct/100), then clamp to [min_days, max_days]

How to use this calculator

Count active stations and confirm each station’s bait capacity.
Enter daily consumption per station from your monitoring notes.
Select pressure and exposure factors that match the site.
Set threshold and safety to avoid stations running empty.
Define minimum and maximum visit windows for your team.
Calculate, then download CSV/PDF for reporting and logs.

Refill interval planning for multi-station sites

Refill frequency is best planned at the site level, not station by station. Start by confirming station count, bait capacity, and access constraints. The calculator converts per‑station daily consumption into a site refill schedule, then applies guardrails from your minimum and maximum visit windows. If capacities vary, run separate scenarios by station size.

Using pressure and weather multipliers responsibly

Pressure factors represent rodent activity driven by food availability, clutter, and harborage. Weather exposure reflects rain, heat, or washdown that degrades bait or increases non‑target losses. Typical multiplier ranges are 0.8–1.6, but your local conditions may differ. Use conservative values when you lack observations, then reduce them after two to three service cycles with measured depletion, keeping notes on sanitation and exclusion changes.

Setting refill thresholds to prevent bait gaps

The threshold defines the remaining bait level that triggers a refill. Higher thresholds reduce the risk of stations going empty but increase service demand. A 25–40% threshold is common for exterior perimeters, while 10–25% may suit protected interiors with stable activity. The wastage allowance captures crumbling, moisture, or spillage; pair it with a safety margin so schedules stay realistic when consumption spikes.

Aligning visit windows with workforce and compliance

Operational windows matter as much as consumption. If your team can only visit weekly, set minimum days near seven to avoid unrealistic schedules. Where audit or contract terms require documented checks, keep maximum days within that requirement and use the safety margin to absorb weekends and access delays. In facilities, combine refill visits with inspection routes to reduce travel time and maintain consistent documentation.

Tracking consumption to improve forecasts

After each service, log grams added and grams remaining. Calculate an observed daily rate and update the input for the next run. Over time, you can segment rates by zone, season, or shift patterns, producing tighter intervals and fewer visits. Flag outliers; they may indicate new entry points or bait spoilage. Use CSV exports to standardize records.

FAQs

How do I estimate daily consumption if I have no logs?

Start with a short trial interval, such as 7–10 days. Weigh bait before and after service, divide grams lost by days, and use that value as daily consumption. Update the input after two cycles for accuracy.

What pressure factor should I choose for construction sites?

Use 1.2–1.5 where food waste, clutter, and harborage are common. Use 0.9–1.1 for clean, well‑sealed areas with limited activity. Adjust after inspections confirm tracks, droppings, or gnawing.

How does the safety margin affect the refill interval?

The safety margin shortens the calculated days to threshold, creating buffer time. Higher safety reduces the risk of empty stations during spikes, but increases visit frequency. Typical values are 10–25%, depending on access reliability.

When should I increase the weather exposure factor?

Increase it for exterior stations exposed to rainfall, heat, washdowns, or flooding. These conditions can soften bait, reduce palatability, and increase losses. If stations are sheltered and dry, keep the factor near 1.0.

What is a good wastage allowance percentage?

Use 0–5% for protected, tamper‑resistant stations. Use 5–15% for outdoor or dusty areas where crumbling and moisture occur. If you observe frequent spoilage or spillage, increase it and review station placement.

Can I run separate plans for different station capacities or zones?

Yes. Run the calculator once per group, such as small stations indoors and large stations outdoors. Use zone‑specific consumption and factors. This produces realistic intervals and improves route planning and documentation.