DCBA Swarm Squad Protocol

Submitted by dcbees on Sat, 03/06/2021 - 18:05

DCBA has deployed an organized "Swarm Squad" since 2013. The Squad is made up of any local beekeeper who is willing to respond to a notification of a swarm which has been pre-qualified (to the best of our ability). We sign up several dozen beekeepers who volunteer to respond by local zip code area.

The steps to set this up include:

  1. a form on our website that collects swarm squad volunteer contact info and response areas (https://www.dcbeekeepers.org/join-swarm-squad-2020)
  2. basic "go-kit" information so beekeepers are ready to respond from wherever they are located (https://www.dcbeekeepers.org/easy-swarm-go-kit)
  3. a request using club social media that members post information about the Swarm Squad to local channels like listervers and bulletin boards (example: https://www.reddit.com/r/washingtondc/comments/8em7me/dc_beekeeper_alliance_swarm_squad/)
  4. a message to all participants about how they will receive notifications and the rules for responding (see below)
  5. a designated point of contact (phone) for the public: we recommend a cell phone capable of receiving texts and running WhatsApp. Cheap cell phones with access to a Google phone number can work. We find emails do not arrive in a timely fashion, and WhatsApp allows unlimited recipients of a single alert text at no cost to participants. Normal text messaging to swarm squad members works, but you have to send multiple messages if you have more than 10 volunteers in an area. 

DCBA also keeps a list of "if no one responds" beekeepers (generally those with large apiaries and/or bee businesses) who have agreed to consider any unclaimed swarms.

A swarm squad notification is a text that often looks like this:

This is a swarm squad alert Wednesday 7/17 5:15. Please respond to 202-255-4318 NOT GROUP. Easy access swarm alley off 1200 block of Connecticut NW. See picture.

Key elements: day and time (some cell carriers delay receipt), respond to sender NOT GROUP, general area info/no specifics, technical complexity of location. Photo required: we have experienced hundreds of inaccurate calls and risk wasting similar amounts of volunteer time. 

To send a swarm text to members of the Swarm Squad:

1) Get as much information from caller as possible, including pictures, exact address, contact info for person onsite to whom responder can report, whether or not that person is the property owner.

2) If using text messaging, you can only send to 10 responders at a time. If using WhatsApp, you can send to an almost unlimited group that you have to set up in advance

2) Send text message with general location information (such as city block, not actual address) to responders to avoid sending multiple beekeepers, confusion and frustration. We have had multiple responders arrive and generate conflict when too much detail is provided up front.

3) The first responder who wants the swarm gets an individual text with all details, and must repond immediately with yes or no

4) When you have a yes, text the group "We have a responder"

OPTIONAL (to help newbees): 

5) You may also get texts asking to "ride along." Text the designated responder and the would-be helper and let them coordinate: "Jane would like to ride along please reply."

If no one responds: we send the call to a special short list of pros

Surrounding jurisdictions also have swarm response: It is helpful to have this information for folks who call in from areas outside your recruitment zone.