Frequently Asked Questions

We are still testing the new custom PCB and cannot commit to volume production until it has passed all tests. It has been delayed by chip shortages but we expect to be able to start production by end of May provided testing goes well.

Yes. The v1 design has the same processor as the v2 custom PCB and runs the same firmware so any v1 devices will be automatically updated via an Over-The-Air update to run the new firmware

The v2 design is now housed in a larger fizzy drinks bottle (2 litre vs 1 litre). This allows two internal solar panels to be accommodated to keep the battery charged. The larger design also allows the bait pot to be bigger and thus hold more bait. Finally, we have designed a custom PCB which keeps the cost of parts low.

BuzzCopper v1, which was field tested during 2025, had lots of settings and these could only be changed by logging in to the device’s own internal website. This was problematical for several reasons. Consequently, the main change for v2 is that the number of settings has been reduced and they can all now be changed through a cloud app with the device syncing up with the cloud settings when it connects to WiFi. Device owners will need to register for an account (not yet ready) on this website through which they will be able to manage all their devices.

They are here You will need to request access

The 2 litre PET fizzy drinks bottles are normally sold by supermarkets with a flexible polypropylene cap that does not lock the plastics in place in the bottle neck very well. Some of these caps can be modified to work but it is better to use an MCA2 28mm bottle cap, which are standard on household products that come in a glass bottle. We will supply one with every electronics kit. If you need replacements they can be purchased from a number of online suppliers (search for MCA2 28mm cap). If you cannot source your own we will supply you at 20p each plus postage or you may be able to get one from your nearest beekeeping club if they are making BuzzCoppers too.

If you buy an electronics kit through the website the processor will have been flashed already with the latest version of the firmware. When first started and configured with a working WiFi the device will check-in on the cloud server to see if there is a later version of the firmware. If so, it will automatically update itself to the latest version.

If you want to make a lot of BuzzCoppers we encourage you to become a ‘supplier’, which will give you privileged access to monitor/manage all the BuzzCoppers you have made for your members and to get bottle caps and other items at cost. You will also become part of the BuzzCopper movement and play a part in shaping the product in future.

Great. Ideally you need to find a few like-minded people to work with. Between you, you will need at least one 3D printer and someone with soldering skills to do the final assembly of sockets onto the PCB (10 soldered joints). You may like to learn how to flash the BuzzCopper firmware onto new PCBs or devices can be supplied to you already flashed. Finally, you will be the first line of support for the devices you have supplied. Once you have registered as a supplier you will be able to monitor all the devices that you registered and distributed to owners. There is a support ticketing system for handling any issues that arise and you can escalate them if you encounter problems you can't address

We are happy to supply parts to commercial organisations who want to make BuzzCopper commercially on a non-exclusive basis as a ‘supplier’ (see above). BuzzCopper will continue to be offered for sale through the BuzzCopper website which will limit the profit that can be made but we have no objection to devices being sold at different prices to those on the website. BuzzCopper is a registered Trademark but we will grant commercial organisations the right to use our trademark (TBD legal advice needed here).

We are establishing a Community-Interest-Company to sell and support BuzzCopper. This is a not-for-profit company run by unpaid volunteers. We have, so far, no external grant funding. The price charged for kits includes a few pounds of profit above the cost of parts. Initially this will allow us to build up working capital to buy larger batches of parts. Any excess profits in future will be used to supply BuzzCoppers at reduced prices to groups undertaking organized detection campaigns and to reimburse volunteers for out of pocket expenses. If we get external funding we may well reduce our prices.

Initially, we encourage you to use our plastics design and to make suggestions for improvements that can be applied for the benefit of everyone. However, we have no objection to variant designs being tried out and will make the design files available on request.

Ultimately, the design for the PCB will be made available through Open Source however we are reluctant to do this until we have established the BuzzCopper product and the trading company that sells it. Once we have achieved volume production it is unlikely that anyone will be able to make the PCBs cheaper than we can. However, if you are in another country and want large quantities it may be cheaper and quicker for you to order them directly from our PCBA supplier. Please get in touch in that case.

We will be making the source code for the device firmware available as Open Source in due course so that people can produce their own devices for other purposes. As the device needs to hold WiFi credentials for local WiFi networks we need to ensure that these are adequately protected in case a Buzzcopper is stolen. Similarly, we need to guard against malicious updates that attempt to upload inappropriate content to our cloud server. The code that does this will not be shared in the Open Source repository hence you will not be able to fork a change to the open BuzzCopper firmware and have your modified device communicate to our cloud server. If you want to contribute ideas you can raise an issue against the open source and we will be pleased to consider it.

We will not sell your personal data. We need you to create an account on the Buzzcopper cloud website so that you can manage your device(s) easily and securely. If you have any concerns you can use a newly created email address and fake personal details.

Your device will upload any sightings to the buzzcopper cloud website. It is up to you whether it goes anywhere else. We strongly encourage you to forward a positive email alert on to NBU (the National Bee Unit) via [email protected] who will deal with nest location and destruction. If you wish to also pass your sighting to a mapping website that is also your decision. In time there may be scientific value in the aggregation of sighting data we have collected and we reserve the right to pass on images and metadata (but not personal data) to accredited academic researchers. Device owners will be given due warning if this is under consideration and we will remove your data.

Don't. Don't even think of it. Asian Hornets are extremely aggressive when they sense their nest is under attack. Several people have died from multiple Asian Hornet stings. A beekeeper's suit is not thick enough to stop a sting and they squirt an irritant into an attacker's face. The National Bee Unit is equipped with proper protective equipment and the knowledge to use it. They will destroy a nest and recover it for scientific analysis which assists in managing the spread in subsequent years.

At present we are focusing on Asian Hornets. However, the core design would accommodate detecting other insects. The on-device AI model only recognizes Asian Hornets, European Hornets, wasps and a few other species. It could easily be replaced with an AI model trained on other species. We recognize that changes will be required to use BuzzCopper in other areas of the world where it needs to discriminate against a different range of native species.

We took advice on whether to operate as a charity and the consensus was that it would create extra work for volunteers that could be avoided. Although selling BuzzCoppers could be stated as a 'primary objective' of the charity we would only be able to sell supporting products, for instance, BuzzCopper T-shirts through a separate entity. There are also additional reporting requirements when operating as a charity. Operating as a Community-Interest-Company still allows us to prevent the distribution of profits to directors or shareholders.