| Scenario | Stations | Capacity (g) | Consumption (g/day) | Exposure | Temp | Rain days/week | Recommended interval |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backyard beds, moderate activity | 8 | 100 | 6 | Partly exposed | Moderate | 2 | ~14 days |
| Compost corner, high pressure | 10 | 120 | 9 | Exposed | Hot | 4 | ~7 days |
| Shed perimeter, low pressure | 6 | 80 | 3 | Protected | Cool | 1 | ~21 days |
Tip: Start with example values, then adjust using your observations.
1) Effective daily consumption per station
Effective Consumption = Base Consumption × Pressure Factor × Exposure Factor × Temperature Factor
2) Days to depletion (with buffer)
Days to Depletion = (Capacity × (1 − Buffer%)) ÷ Effective Consumption
3) Spoilage/quality limit
Spoilage Limit = Base Spoilage Days × Temperature Spoilage Factor × Exposure Spoilage Factor × Rain Spoilage Factor
4) Recommended interval
Recommended Interval = clamp(round(min(Days to Depletion, Spoilage Limit)), Minimum Interval, Maximum Interval)
- Enter your start date and total number of stations.
- Choose a bait type and its capacity per station.
- Estimate daily consumption using recent observations.
- Set buffer percent to refill before stations empty.
- Adjust pest pressure, exposure, rain, and temperature to match conditions.
- Set minimum and maximum intervals to reflect your maintenance rules.
- Click Calculate schedule to view the interval and refill dates.
- Use Download CSV for logs, or Download PDF for sharing.
Station inventory planning
A refill schedule protects garden beds by keeping stations consistently active while avoiding waste. This calculator converts your station count and per-station capacity into total bait requirements per service cycle, helping you plan purchases, storage, and route time. The monthly consumption estimate supports budgeting and restocking frequency.
Condition-driven intervals
Refill timing is limited by two realities: depletion and condition. Depletion depends on observed consumption and multipliers for pest pressure, exposure, and temperature. Condition accounts for moisture and heat that can reduce bait quality. The recommended interval uses the earlier of these limits, then applies your minimum and maximum rules.
Field measurement tips
Track consumption by weighing or estimating volume at two checks and dividing by days between visits. Update values when activity changes near compost, fruit drops, sheds, or irrigation zones. If stations are frequently empty before the next date, raise capacity, add stations, or reduce the buffer to tighten the schedule.
Interpreting the schedule output
The results panel summarizes interval, next refill date, and key limits. “Days to depletion” shows when stations would reach the buffer threshold; “spoilage limit” shows when bait condition is likely to drop. Export the schedule to keep maintenance logs, document seasonal changes, and share service plans with staff.
Example scenario walkthrough
Example: 8 stations, 100 g capacity, 6 g/day base consumption, 15% buffer, medium pressure, partly exposed, 2 rainy days per week, moderate temperatures. The tool calculates an effective consumption near 6 g/day per station, yielding roughly 14 days to buffered depletion. If quality remains acceptable, the interval stays near two weeks, producing a rolling set of refill dates for the next six visits.
The buffer refills stations before they are empty. It reduces the usable bait portion, shortening the interval and lowering the risk of gaps during high activity or missed visits.
Check a station, measure bait remaining, then recheck after several days. Divide the bait used by the number of days. Repeat in a few locations and average the results.
Rain increases moisture exposure and can degrade bait condition or cause loss in exposed placements. The calculator reduces the quality limit more strongly for pellets and liquid formats.
Lower your maximum interval, raise pest pressure, increase exposure, or set a larger buffer. If stations are being emptied early, increase the base consumption value.
Reduce buffer percent, confirm consumption values, and use protected placements when possible. If activity is truly low, set pest pressure to low and review monthly during stable seasons.
Not always. Use the schedule as a baseline, then top up based on inspection. Replace bait that is wet, contaminated, or hardened, and record exceptions in your log.
Yes. Run separate schedules for areas like compost, sheds, or beds. Each zone can have different pressure, exposure, and rain effects, producing more realistic refill dates.