In this episode, Natalie discusses the reasons why beasties are attracted to beach huts, such as the high moisture environment, food sources, and shelter they provide. She highlights common bugs like ants, silverfish, woodlice, spiders, moths, flies, mice, and beetles that may infest beach huts and the potential damage they can cause. Natalie offers practical tips for preventing and dealing with unwanted guests, emphasizing regular inspections, proper food storage, ventilation, cleanliness, and maintenance. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Beach huts can attract various types of bugs due to the high moisture environment, food sources, and shelter they provide.

• Common bugs that may infest beach huts include ants, silverfish, woodlice, spiders, moths, flies, mice, and beetles.

• Regular inspections, proper food storage, ventilation, and cleanliness are essential in preventing bug infestations in beach huts.

• Using scented oils like peppermint or citrus can help deter spiders and ants from entering the beach hut.

• Prompt action, thorough cleaning, and the use of suitable insecticides are necessary if a bug infestation occurs in the beach hut.

BEST MOMENTS

"Beasties in the beach hut are unwelcome visitors. We want to prepare food and eat in a clean environment."

"There are over 12,000 known varieties of ants. Most are just annoying, but some, like the carpenter ant, are also very destructive."

"Wood lice will tend to venture into your hut to seek protection from the cold weather. They are a familiar friend in the salty seagull after the winter period."

"Given that our beach huts are so alluring to non-humans, should we sell up and run for the hills or your semi in Milton Keynes? Well, that's a bit extreme."

"Beasties are not only unwelcome roommates but some can cause damage to the physical structure and your soft furnishings. But they can be kept at bay with regular cleaning, food hygiene, maintenance checks and good ventilation."

HOST BIO

My name is Natalie Young. I bought a beach hut to bring joy into my life after escaping an abusive relationship and a difficult divorce.  Based in Christchurch, Dorset, my beach hut is affectionally called the Salty Seagull and is located on Friars Cliff beach with sea views to the Needles on the Isle of White. It is my slice of heaven. 

Owning and hiring a beach hut is more complicated than I realised and I am on a constant mission to discover the best ways to manage and care for your hut. I have researched the pros and cons of renting and the best ways to market and host.

The beach, the sights and the sounds of the sea bring me huge joy. I hope this podcast will bring you smiles, laughter and joy too!

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PODCAST DESCRIPTION

Welcome to the Bonkers about Beach Huts podcast, the show that's all about beach huts!

Whether you are thinking of buying a beach hut and don’t know where to begin or if you have had a beach hut in your family for generations this podcast is for you.

As I travel across the UK exploring these coastal retreats and sharing personal stories of how the humble beach hut has shaped lives, I will also be creating the UK's first beach hut map. I will give tips on where and how to buy a beach hut. And share everything you need to know about beach hut maintenance plus advice on hiring a beach hut.

We will be chatting with special guests from estate agents to lock specialists, beach hut associations to beach hut builders, and artists to interior designers. 

If you don’t know what all the fuss is about, join us every week and you too will become a little bit Bonkers Bbout Beach Huts.