How Swarm Alerts Work

When someone reports a bee colony through Swarmed, the system instantly checks which beekeepers are within the set radius of that location.

• You’ll receive a notification via SMS, WhatsApp, or email, depending on your chosen preference. Only paying Contributors can receive SMS and WhatsApp notifications.
• These alerts go out to as soon as the report is submitted without any priority system.
• Only beekeepers whose notification radius covers the reported location are notified.
• Beekeepers who are part of associations that restrict swarms coming in through their websites to just their members receive exclusive access to those swarms, as well as those reported through the Swarmed system as a whole.

Claiming a Swarm

• Every notification includes a link to view the report details. Reports include a photo, the city the swarm is in, the size, situation, height, and duration of the swarm.
• The first beekeeper to click “Claim Swarm” gets the reporter’s contact information and the swarm’s exact location.
• Once claimed, that swarm is no longer available for others to claim.
• You’ll be expected to reach out to the reporter quickly and arrange the rescue. You can click on “Send Message” to create a draft message and contact the reporter in seconds.

What Happens After You Claim

• The reporter will receive a confirmation message letting them know you’re on it.
• You’ll contact them directly to coordinate the rescue.
• After the rescue, you can confirm the swarm status on your dashboard:
  • Captured
  • Not Captured
    • Swarm Departed Before Arrival
    • Access Issues – Couldn’t Reach Swarm
    • Unsafe to Capture
    • Too Small / Not Viable
    • Private Property – No Permission
    • Weather Conditions
    • Reporter Never Responded
    • Not Bees – Wasps
    • Not Bees – Bumble Bee
    • Not a Swarm – Cutout
    • Other (type here)

Claim Etiquette & Fair Use

• Claim only if you can respond in a timely manner.
• If something comes up and you can’t follow through, you can unclaim the swarm to make it available for other beekeepers.
• Swarmed is built on trust: prompt communication keeps the system reliable for everyone.

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