Boat show visitors tuck into insect treats

Pest control firm Rentokil put on a mini-bug buffet at the PSP Southampton Boat Show, challenging visitors to sample chocolate-covered crickets, barbecue-flavoured mealworms, plain roasted and curry flavoured crickets and buffalo-wing flavoured worms.

But their Pestaurant has already gone down a treat and staff had to restock after just the third day of the show.

People aged 18 months to 80 years old have had a taste of Im a Celebrity Get Me out of Here! as they snacked on the bugs.

John Shipton, a senior surveyor at Rentokil in Southampton, said: Its been very popular. Weve had a good crowd. Its an alternative to bar snacks or a party discussion point.

Its about changing peoples perceptions because here in the UK peoples perception of insects is as pests but in countries like Malaysia theyre seen as a food source.

Some people get straight in and others spend five minutes rationalising whether they should eat them or not. Thats been part of the fun really you see families or couples deciding who should try it.

Throughout the boat show the stall will be manned by the Southampton Rentokil team who will be on hand to answer questions about pest control.

They will also be joined by their marine bird control team who will be displaying some of the birds of prey used to deter pigeons and gulls.

The Pestaurant, which uses food supplied by Bush Grub, is raising money for Malaria No More, a charity working to put an end to the disease.

For more information, visit malarianomore.org.uk.

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Boat show visitors tuck into insect treats