SwarmReport.org FAQ

 This guide covers how things work for Members — from receiving texts to taking action.

What number will text messages come from?

All alerts will be sent from 818-643-3991. Save this number to avoid missing any alerts.

What is a Swarm Alert?

You’ll receive a swarm alert when:

  • A new swarm is reported
  • You are within range
  • You’re available according to your settings
  • The elevation is within your allowed threshold

Each alert includes a 5-digit claim code.

Who receives an alert?

The system identifies eligible Members — people whose range, elevation, and availability match the swarm. Alerts are then sent to those Members simultaneously.

How do I claim a swarm?

Reply to the alert with the exact claim code (e.g. 01134).

If it’s still available, the swarm will be assigned to you. You’ll receive a message like:

Congratulations!
SWARM INFO
Name: Alice
Phone: 503-123-4567
Address:
123 Honeybee Ln, Portland, OR

Log in at https://member.swarmreport.org if you need to "Un-claim" the swarm or "Mark as Bad".

 What happens if I text something else?

Only two types of messages are recognized by 818-643-3991:

  • Valid claim codes (e.g. 01134)
  • Twilio commands like START or STOP

Any other message will be ignored.

How do I control when I get alerts?

  • Set your availability schedule (custom day/time windows per week)
  • Configure your range in miles to limit alerts to local swarms
  • Set a maximum elevation for alerts
  • Toggle Do Not Disturb to temporarily stop alerts

After claiming a swarm

You have two options if you’re unable to collect it:

  • Un-claim: Releases the swarm so another Member can take it.
  • Mark as Bad: Flags the swarm as unreachable, invalid, or no longer active. This removes it from the system and notifies the admin.

You can find these options by logging into https://member.swarmreport.org and locating the claimed swarm under “Claimed Swarms.”

You only have 24 hours to take action — after that, you will no longer see these options for this swarm.

What happens if I don’t claim a swarm?

Members receive alerts in staggered batches based on recent claim activity. If you’ve recently claimed a swarm, you’ll receive future alerts later than others:

Recent ClaimsDelay Before Receiving Alert
0Immediate
110 minutes
220 minutes
330 minutes
440 minutes
550 minutes
6+60 minutes

How is my location used?

Your address is turned into a latitude/longitude point and used to determine if you are in range for a reported swarm. Your exact location is never shared with others.

How do I give feedback?

You can leave feedback in two ways:

How do I leave an association?

Go to your profile and click the red trash icon next to the association. This removes you immediately and stops all alerts from that group.

What does Do Not Disturb do?

It silences all alerts until you turn it off. Ideal for vacations, sick days, or when you’re unavailable.

April 2025 Presentation

Judy Scher

Judy has been an urban beekeeper in Eugene, OR for 23 years.  She is a past president of Lane County Beekeepers Association and worked on the Oregon Master Beekeeper planning committee. She is especially fascinated by the biology of honey bees, plays banjo and loves cats. 

  • Spring Management – everything you need to know about shepherding your bees towards a successful summer.
  • Mid to late spring hive management is an important step in preventing spring starvation, preparing for the expansion of hive population, controlling mites, recognizing swarm preparation, and preventing swarms. This talk takes us up to the major honey flow in June.

Intro by Dewey Caron PhD regarding the PNW Honey Bee Survey