using gis as an everyday tool for base-level pest control minot air force base, north dakota

Using GIS as an Everyday Tool for Base-level Pest Control

Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota

Key Elements for System Design

Must be useful---give us information that adds to our overall program.

Must SAVE time, not add time to the job.

Easy to Use

Cheap (Not quite as critical)

Invasive Species, Pollution Prevention $$$

Benefits

Helps to Better Plan Jobs

More Accurate Records

Prioritize Work

Protect Sensitive Areas

Assist With Making Accurate Pesticide Applications

Plan Work

Use ArcView with the base map and/or create maps using GPS to quickly measure areas needing treatment

Buy and mix the right amount of chemical

(Aerial photo may also be used to discover previously unidentified breeding sites.)

Use GPS/Palm to map areas needing treatment. Use ArcView to calculate area to be treated.

Benefits

While it’s possible to measure areas to be treated without using GIS, once a few simple skills are mastered using ArcView the task becomes extremely simple and accurate.

Accurate measurements let us order the right amount of chemical and mix the right amount for each job. This capability alone has justified the cost and training requirements* for having GIS capabilities readily available in the shop.

*Training requirements are less than many would anticipate.

Plan Work---Job Orders

Map all jobs scheduled, all jobs of a single type (such as ground squirrels @ Minot), or jobs assigned to each person/team.

Shows where the jobs are in general, and where they are in relation to each other for more efficient use of time.

Shows location of jobs. Some are two people calling about the same problem. This is hard to determine from a list of addresses, but easy to see on a map.

Jobs by who they are assigned to---can show how to better distribute work.

Accurate Records

Using GPS units attached to handhelds, record exact* locations from survey and control operations, along with pertinent details about each site recorded in a mobile database.

*Not really exact—we use “recreation type” GPS units that are accurate within a few feet.

Pendragon Forms used on Palm to record mosquito information.

Treated areas stay on the map for a time corresponding to the effective life of the chemical.

Pendragon Forms used on Palm to record noxious weeds.

Size and density of leafy spurge found are recorded with Palm/GPS at the site and automatically transferred to the map shown here.

Links to Photos

Pictures from digital cameras can be linked to their GPS coordinates and information about the site. This data can be used to measure effectiveness of control operations over time.

You can link digital photos taken in the field to the GPS coordinates. If you do, you can click on the points (stars in this case) and see the picture.

This picture provides an objective record of the density of weed growth at this location. This information will assist in future evaluations of treatment.

Prioritize Work

Maps can be used to prioritize work based on severity of problem, stage of growth of the pest, or high-risk areas.

Examples:

Severity/size of noxious weed infestation

Very high counts in mosquito larvae surveys

Mosquitoes in 4th instar or pupae stages

Breeding sites near child care centers, schools, hospitals

Red squares indicate pupae were found. Yellow circles show there were lots of them.

Treat ASAP

GPS linked maps for control work

Maps on the PC are transferred back to the handheld w/GPS to guide technicians in control operations, ensure correct areas are found and treated, and ensure areas are not accidentally treated twice.

This is especially beneficial when using Altosid (methoprene) for mosquito larvae control since larvae will still be found in areas that have already been treated.

Yellow stars show areas treated

Red dots show trees needing treatment, but not yet done.

Map shows areas that need to be treated and also those that do not.

Leafy Spurge surveyed in June (flowers—easy to see), spray in September.

Find Shortcuts….

Palm w/GPS (or GPS alone) can be used to record ground fogging operations (similar to system for aerial spraying). Shows applicator where he or she has been and keeps a permanent record of route w/time and speed.

Also useful when using WeedSeeker spray boom to record area treated and verify that proper speed is maintained for accurate pesticide application.

Map Fogging Routes

Record of fogging. These GPS coordinates were obtained using a Garmin eTrex GPS and are sufficiently accurate for our purposes.

Date & Time of Application at one Point

Protect Sensitive Areas

Map sensitive areas to ensure pesticides are not accidentally applied to restricted areas.

Use Palm/GPS to show applicators exactly where they are at all times and where the restricted areas are.

Red areas need to be avoided to leave food supply for growing flea beetle populations.

You are here.

Is It Hard to Use?

No!

Perhaps the most important lesson to learn from the system we use at Minot is that a comprehensive GIS system can become an integral part of a pest management program

--Without adding a lot of additional work

--Without extensive knowledge of GIS

--Without extensive training, although some training is essential

How It Works

Different tasks require different actions, as an example here are the steps that need to take place in order to display information on a map

Run all the queries outlined in green.

And do the following processing steps:

Public Sub Scrub_GPS()

Dim db As Database

Dim rec As Recordset

Set db = CurrentDb()

Dim strGPS As String

Dim intLen As Integer

'Check for records with bad GPS readings, either with a "V" or that are too short

'Delete these records and, if there are a lot of them, warn the user that something's up with the Palm entries

Set rec = db.OpenRecordset("PROCESS_MOSQUITOES")

Do

If rec("GPS_Converted") = "New" Then

strGPS = rec("sktr_GPS")

Dim intCount As Integer

If InStr(1, strGPS, "V") Then

rec.Delete

intCount = intCount + 1

End If

End If

rec.MoveNext

Loop Until rec.EOF


Do

strGPS = rec("sktr_GPS")


intLen = Len(strGPS)

If intLen < 10 Then

rec.Delete


End If

End If

rec.MoveNext

Loop Until rec.EOF

Set rec = db.OpenRecordset("PROCESS_GPS")

Do


strGPS = rec("GPS")

intLen = Len(strGPS)

If intLen < 10 Then


rec.Delete

End If

End If

rec.MoveNext

Loop Until rec.EOF

Do


strGPS = rec("GPS")

If InStr(1, strGPS, "V") Then


rec.Delete

End If

End If

rec.MoveNext

Loop Until rec.EOF

If intCount > 5 Then

MsgBox "Please check Palm GPS info--significant invald info being reported" 'Oops?

End If

End Sub

End Function

'This sub will update individual larvae stage information in the "Palm/Attachments" table

'This is necessary because the Palm sends the larvae information all in one field--easy on the

'person entering data, but clunky for the database. Sub updates 7 new fields with Yes/No for each stage

'along with fields for no larvae found and predator critters present (this could affect larvacide choice)

'Larvacide recommendations are made for areas not treated, based on the various instars found

'Products recommended are Agnique, Altosid, Bti or Duplex (Bti + Altosid)

Sub Larvae_Stage()

'Declare variables for calcualations

Dim db As Database



' The following follow this format:"Set rec=db.OpenRecordset ("Enter table to use here")

'*****************************************************************************************


'******************************************************************************************

Dim intCounter As Integer

Do

rec.Edit

'Declare variables to hold data from the Palm entry

Dim strPupae As String

Dim str1stInstar As String

Dim str2ndInstar As String

Dim str3rdInstar As String

Dim str4thInstar As String

Dim strPredatoryCritters As String

strTip = "Pending"

strPupae = "No"

str1stInstar = "No"

str2ndInstar = "No"

str3rdInstar = "No"

str4thInstar = "No"

strPredatoryCritters = "No"

strNone = "No"

'Determine elasped time for each record, only the last 5 days are used since earlier data is invalid

intElaspedTime = DateDiff("d", rec("sktr_TimeStamp"), Now())

'Only show records for the past 5 days

If intElaspedTime <5Then

'A counter is added to show how many records are actually sent to ArcView for mapping (this is mostly

'a warm fuzzy)

intCounter = intCounter + 1

'Check larvae/pupae stages found, update tables and variables

'Variables will be used to recommend a larvacide

If InStr(1, rec("sktr_PalmInstar"), "1st", vbTextCompare) Then

rec("sktr_1stInstar") = True

str1stInstar = "Yes"

Else

str1stInstar = "No"

End If

If InStr(1, rec("sktr_PalmInstar"), "2nd", vbTextCompare) Then

rec("sktr_2ndInstar") = True

str2ndInstar = "Yes"

Else

str2ndInstar = "No"

End If

If InStr(1, rec("sktr_PalmInstar"), "3rd", vbTextCompare) Then

rec("sktr_3rdInstar") = True

str3rdInstar = "Yes"

Else

str3rdInstar = "No"

End If

If InStr(1, rec("sktr_PalmInstar"), "Pupae", vbTextCompare) Then

rec("sktr_Pupae") = True

strPupae = "Yes"

Else

strPupae = "No"

End If

If InStr(1, rec("sktr_PalmInstar"), "4th", vbTextCompare) Then

rec("sktr_4thInstar") = True

str4thInstar = "Yes"

If intElaspedTime > 3 Then 'after 3 days assume they've pupated

strPupae = "Yes"

End If

'Check various combinations of larvae stage to recommend a larvacide

'Areas with 1st instar larvae need Bti, areas w/3rd and 4th need altosid

'Those with both will be treated with "Duplex"

'Those areas with pupae present will need to be treated with Agnique, Agnique is also used for

'areas with 4th instar larvae where the survey is over 3 days old (assuming there are pupae there now)

If str1stInstar = "Yes" Then

If str3rdInstar = "Yes" Or str4thInstar = "Yes" Then

strTip = "Duplex"

Else: strTip = "Bti"

End If

End If

If str2ndInstar = "Yes" Then

If str3rdInstar = "Yes" Or str4thInstar = "Yes" Then

strTip = "Duplex"

Else: strTip = "Bti"

End If

End If

If str3rdInstar = "Yes" And str1stInstar = "No" Then

strTip = "Altosid"

End If

If str4thInstar = "Yes" And str1stInstar = "No" Then

End If

If strPupae = "Yes" Then

strTip = "Agnique"

End If

If str4thInstar = "Yes" And intElaspedTime > 3 Then

strTip = "Agnique"

End If

If str4thInstar = "Yes" And strTip = "Pending" Then

strTip = "Altosid"

End If

If strPupae = "Yes" And strTip = "Pending" Then

strTip = "Agnique"

End If

If rec("sktr_Treated") = "Y" Then

strTip = "Treated"

End If

If strTip = "Bti" And strPredatoryCritters = "Yes" Then

strTip = strTip & " or Altosid"

End If

If strTip = "Duplex" And strPredatoryCritters = "Yes" Then

strTip = strTip & " or Altosid"

End If

If rec("sktr_NoneFound") = True Then

strTip = "Consider pellets"

End If

Sub GPS_Conversion2()

'On Error GoTo Error_GPS_Conversion3

'Converts GPS Readings from Palm to Decimal Degrees for use with ArcView

'Can use Garmin, Rand McNalley or Magellan Readings with 3 or 4 decimal places for seconds

'Table for conversions must include the following--

'Number (Double) fields for Latitude and Longitude and a text field for 'GPSType'

'(The GPS type can be deleted if desired)

'Plus a text field from the Palm 'Aquire GPS' action & one for "main_GPS_Converted"

'Declare variables for calcualations

Dim db As Database


Dim DegLat As Integer

Dim MinLat As Integer

Dim SecLat As Integer

Dim DegLong As Integer

Dim MinLong As Integer

Dim SecLong As Integer

Dim WhereLat As Byte

Dim WhereLong As Byte


' The following follow this format:"Set rec=db.OpenRecordset ("Enter table to use here")

'*****************************************************************************************

Set rec = db.OpenRecordset("PROCESS_GPS")

'******************************************************************************************

Dim FieldName As String

'Replace "GPS" with the text field for GPS readings from the Palm

'****************************************************************************************

FieldName = "GPS"

'******************************************************************************************

Do

rec.Edit

DegLat = 0 'Keeps erroneous data from being recorded on fields w/no GPS readings

'PathAttach is located here in the sub so changes can be made to records that were

'already converted. This path is located in the "Local Setup" module

Dim intCount As Integer 'Use for debugging

If rec("GPS_Complete") = "New" Then

'Used to find inaccurate GPS data.

If InStr(1, rec(FieldName), "V", vbTextCompare) Then

rec("GPS_Complete") = "Invalid GPS"

Else

intCount = intCount + 1 'Used for debugging

'Garmin eTrex

If Mid(rec(FieldName), 22, 1) = "E" Or Mid(rec(FieldName), 22, 1) = "W" Then

DegLat = Left$(rec(FieldName), 2)

MinLat = Mid$(rec(FieldName), 3, 2)

SecLat = Mid$(rec(FieldName), 6, 4)

DegLong = Mid$(rec(FieldName), 12, 3)

MinLong = Mid$(rec(FieldName), 15, 2)

SecLong = Mid$(rec(FieldName), 18, 4)

'Check to see where you're at.....

If Mid(rec(FieldName), 10, 1) = "N" Then

WhereLat = 1 'Northern Hemisphere

Else

WhereLat = 0 'Southern Hemisphere

End If

If Mid(rec(FieldName), 22, 1) = "W" Then

WhereLong = 1 'Western Hemisphere

Else

WhereLong = 0 'Eastern Hemisphere

End If

ElseIf Mid(rec(FieldName), 11, 1) = "W" Or Mid(rec(FieldName), 11, 1) = "E" Then

DegLat = Left$(rec(FieldName), 2)









Else


End If



Else


End If

rec("GPS_Type") = "Garmin eTrex" ' Optional


DegLat = Mid$(rec(FieldName), 11, 2)









Else


End If



Else


End If

'rec("GPS_Type") = "Other" ' Optional


DegLat = Mid$(rec(FieldName), 14, 2)









Else


End If



Else


End If

'Take data gathered above and convert to decimal degrees

If rec("GPS_Complete") = "New" Then

rec("GPS_Complete") = "Done"

End If

If DegLat <> 0 Then

'Convert Latitude

If WhereLat = 1 Then 'Northern Hemisphere

rec("Latitude") = ((DegLat + MinLat / 60) + (SecLat / 10000 / 60))

ElseIf WhereLat = 0 Then 'Southern Hemisphere

rec("Latitude") = ((DegLat + MinLat / 60) + (SecLat / 10000 / 60)) * -1

End If

'Convert Longitude

If WhereLong = 1 Then

rec("Longitude") = ((DegLong + MinLong / 60) + (SecLong / 10000 / 60)) * -1

ElseIf WhereLong = 0 Then

rec("Longitude") = ((DegLong + MinLong / 60) + (SecLong / 10000 / 60))

End If 'End of loop for new entries

End If 'End of loop for DegLat value

End If

End If

rec.Update

rec.MoveNext

Loop Until rec.EOF

Sub ArcView2()

On Error GoTo Err_ArcView2

DoCmd.SetWarnings False

'All noxious weeds

DoCmd.TransferDatabase acExport, "dBase IV", PathArcView, acTable, "ArcView_NoxiousWeeds", "Weeds", False

'Export Ornamental GPS info

'DoCmd.TransferDatabase acExport, "dBase IV", PathArcView, acTable, "ArcView_(Ornamentals)", "TreeBug", False

'All jobs by building number or GPS

DoCmd.TransferDatabase acExport, "dBase IV", PathArcView, acTable, "ArcView_AllbyBldg", "PestTrack", False

DoCmd.TransferDatabase acExport, "dBase IV", PathArcView, acTable, "ArcView_AllbyGPS", "GPS", False

'Send dakrat volunteers info

'DoCmd.TransferDatabase acExport, "dBase IV", PathArcView, acTable, "ArcView_DakratVolunteers", "Help", False

'Export Dakrats

'DoCmd.TransferDatabase acExport, "dBase IV", PathArcView, acTable, "ArcView_Dakrats2", "Dakrats", False

DoCmd.TransferDatabase acExport, "dBase IV", PathArcView, acTable, "ArcView_Dakrats", "D-Jobs", False

'Export Mosquitoes

DoCmd.TransferDatabase acExport, "dBase IV", PathArcView, acTable, "ArcView_Skeeters", "Skeeter", False

Exit_ArcView2:

Exit Sub

Err_ArcView2:

MsgBox Err.Description

Resume Exit_ArcView2

End Sub

Those are the steps that need to take place for everything to work. Here’s what YOU have to do to make those steps happen---

Just Click This Button

Is It Hard to Use?

No!

Perhaps the most important lesson to learn from the system we use at Minot is that a comprehensive GIS system can become an integral part of a pest management program

--Without adding a lot of additional work

--Without extensive knowledge of GIS

--Without extensive training, although some training is essential

But—you need a system that can automate most or all of the processing needed and make things easy for the user.

Software/Hardware

Access Database—Can work with IPMIS, but requires an extra step

Pendragon Forms—Palm Database software---$230 + $60 addl units

GPS Tracker Mapping Software for Palm---$ 40.00Uses a picture of an ArcView map, rather than a real map.

ArcView 3.1 (8 soon)

Palm 515 Handheld----$295 or lessSimple to operate and very reliable.

Garmin eTrex & Connecting Cables---$150.00Although a recreational-grade GPS, the eTrex has given us excellent results. Accuracy (about 20 ft—although it usually seems closer) is more than sufficient for our use. We do not use differential GPS.

Disclaimer

The system we’re using works very, very well—but is probably not the ideal way to do this.

Software and hardware decisions we made were based on what we already had on hand and what we could afford.

If we had it all to do over again, we might make significantly different decisions.

But--

Key Elements for System Design

Must be useful---give us information that adds to our overall program.

Must SAVE time, not add time to the job.

Easy to Use

Cheap--Because it can be

Lessons Learned - - 3 Years & Counting

GIS is a great management tool. The technology is extremely well-suited to pest control work.

Bad News—It is NOT easy to build a system from scratch

Good News---You shouldn’t have to. Because of the nature of geographic information, one system could be used in many different locations with very few modifications

Questions?

Vicki Johnson

5th CES/CEOHE

320 Peacekeeper Place

Minot AFB, ND 58705

DSN 453-2393/4930

Email: [email protected]

using gis as an everyday tool for base-level pest control minot air force base, north dakota

Documents

treatment slide

north dakota slide

plan work use arcview

treated areas

accurate records

better plan jobs

work maps

efficient use of time