swarm-list Mailing List: Re: Swarm in Livermore - This is a first. The caller insists on insurance documentation - do you have a business you can use for this? Tree branch. 8 to 10 feet up - pix

[Robert L Mathews (rob]

Absolutely. While the club has liability insurance, it's mostly a last resort to protect against bankruptcy of the club (and its officers) if something goes horribly wrong. It's not as broad as the insurance, licenses and performance bonds that contractors have.

I can completely understand that some people want a license / insurance / bond / etc. for corporate reasons.... But those people should hire a professional contractor, who has those things.

We should never suggest or imply that our insurance will cover it if anything goes wrong when members of our club are doing something to help others (usually for free, no less!).

If you're a casual swarm catcher and somebody asks you for that documentation, you should stop and recommend that they hire a professional, because you don't have what they want.

And yep, our board has had discussions in the past about the risks of the swarm list as it exists... and the reality is that one day, something could go wrong and it would be awful. But nobody has suggested any way to avoid that without completely changing how it works (for the worse), so here we are.

Please, everyone, be safe out there. As the swarm list page says: "CAUTION!!! Watch out for power lines, especially if the pole is metal. Safety First! We don’t recommend standing on ladders for safety reasons, nor using a home-owner’s (swarm-caller’s) ladder." If you have the slightest doubt about hurting yourself, hurting someone else, or damaging property, don't do it.

On Jun 27, 2024, at 3:44 PM, elegans--- via swarm-list <swarm-list [at] alamedabees.org> wrote:

I'm With Gina. It's an invitation for misery. If someone does say yes,I'd advise to only leave a baited box. Maybe tape off area. Sit back and watch.

George 

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Robert L Mathews