With the trap maintenance protocols you can specify what kind of maintenance needs to be performed on your traps. Multiple protocols can be created in the Admin Panel for each trap type to instruct and guide users to do trap maintenance in the field as structured and efficient as possible while ensuring that the logged data is exact and correct for management, evaluation and analysis purposes.
A trap maintenance protocol can be as simple as specifying which pests need to be recorded, but it can also be extended with the specific pheromones and kairomones that need to be replaced, and specific maintenance tasks (e.g. cleaning, refill water or agent) that need to be performed.
To view, edit or create new trap maintenance protocols, first, click on the “IPM” link in the side menu and then click on the “Trap Maintenance Protocols” button on the IPM page.
On the Trap Maintenance Protocol page, a list of all the trap maintenance protocols is displayed, ordered by trap type. These trap types are generic trap families, with predefined default protocols, which can be used as basis for the new protocols.
A new protocol can be created by clicking ADD NEW TRAP MAINTENANCE PROTOCOL FOR THIS TRAP, under the trap type heading, for example, the Bucket Trap. A pop-up will open where you can fill in the name of the new protocol. Fill in the name and click CONFIRM. This will create the new protocol for a bucket trap. To customize this protocol further click on the pencil (edit) icon adjacent to the protocol name. This opens the edit page for that protocol.
Editing trap maintenance protocol
The first thing that can be changed is the name of the protocol. The rest of the protocol consists of three sections that can be changed. A protocol always has three sections: Pests, Consumables, Maintenance tasks. Users will see the same sections if they perform maintenance on a trap in the field, see performing trap maintenance for more detail on trap maintenance using AgrIOT.
In the Pests section, you can define which pest needs to be recorded during maintenance. The Consumables section defines which pheromones, kairomones and agents are used in the trap and needs to be replaced at certain time moments. The last section, Maintenance Tasks, defines the maintenance tasks that needs to be performed, for example cleaning or adding water to the trap.
To add a pest to a protocol click on ADD NEW PESTS in the Pests section. A pop-up shows the possible pests that can be selected. Select the pest and it will be added to this protocol. By default only the count (number of insects) is asked during the maintenance in the field, but as an option it is also possible to ask for the weight of the insects. To select this option, you can expand the pest box by clicking on the bottom facing arrow and select “Weight insects”. Now an extra option for weighing the insects is present in the mobile app during trap maintenance in the field. Select “Do not weight insects” to revert this option which set it to only count the insects.
In the Consumable section you can select pheromones, kairomones and agents maintenance settings. You can add a new consumable by clicking the ADD NEW PHEROMONE/ KAIROMONE / AGENT button. Select the new consumable and it is added to the protocol. Optionally you can write an extra instructions per consumable that will be displayed in the mobile app during trap maintenance in the field. Note that you can add multiple pheromones, kairomones and agents per trap maintenance protocol, just click the ADD NEW PHEROMONE/ KAIROMONE / AGENT button again and repeat the step.
Follow the Adding custom consumables and maintenance tasks instructions to add new pheromones, kairomones or agents which are used in your organization.
In the Maintenance Tasks section, you can select additional tasks that needs to be performed during trap maintenance in the field. Select all the tasks that you want to be executed do during the trap maintenance in the field. Optionally write extra instructions per tasks.
Follow the Adding custom consumables and maintenance tasks instructions to add new tasks.
The last step is to click the SAVE button on top of the page to save all the changes you made. The protocol can now be selected if the user installs a new trap.
Editing a protocol is also possible after it is created. These changes will be directly visible and available for users when they perform maintenance. Clicking the RESET TO OLD STATE button will reset all the changes you just made before saving.
Adding custom consumables and maintenance tasks
By default, a limited number of pheromones, kairomones, agents and maintenance tasks are predefined by AgrIOT. Each organization uses different products and procedures. Therefore you can add specific consumables and specific tasks to your AgrIOT account. To manage consumables (pheromone, kairomone, or agent) click on the “GO TO TRAP CONSUMABLES” button on the IPM page. Similar click on the “GO TO TRAP MAINTENANCE TASKS” button to manage maintenance tasks.
On the trap consumables page, you can select pheromones, kairomones, and agents in the tab bar. Each tab will show you the list of predefined consumables and organization-specific consumables. You can duplicate, and later change, any consumable by clicking the copy icon. A pop-up asks for a new name for the duplication. This can be useful e.g. when you switch from consumable supplier.
Consumables that are defined by the organization can be edited, which is indicated by a pencil (edit) icon. Clicking on this icon will pop-up the selected consumable and you can change the corresponding settings. You can change the name, duration and dose. The duration is the time in days that a consumable, for example, a pheromone is active. This will be used (in new release of AgrIOT) to notify when specific traps are due for pheromone or kairomone replacements. The dose is an indication of how much needs to be replaced, for example, 1 capsule or 15ml.
A consumable can also be deleted if it is not predefined and not used by a protocol. To check if it is used by a protocol click on the bottom facing arrow. Here you can see how many protocols use the consumable. If no protocol uses it (anymore) you can delete it by clicking the trash (delete) icon. A confirmation message will be displayed to make sure you did not click it by accident.
The same actions that can be performed for trap consumables can be performed for trap maintenance tasks. The only setting that can be entered/edited for creating or editing tasks is its name.
Your own added consumables and tasks are now available to be used in trap maintenance protocols for your organization. Note that everything you created is private for your organization. No other organization can see your settings or use them.