Meet the Briton who made £5,000 a month selling exotic bugs as far afield as Europe and America from his home during Covid after turning his childhood hobby into a business

A young man made £5,000 a month selling exotic insects after turning his childhood hobby into a business during lockdown.

Cameron Reardon, 22, was only a 16-year-old college student his bug venture began to boom in 2020.

Inspired by his hero David Attenborough and a business presentation at school, the then-teenager began buying insects to breed and sell from his home in Llanelli. 

His business - Bug Box - rapidly grew, selling exotic species such as Thailand black tarantulas and ladybird spiders to buyers as far as Europe and the USA.

Revealing how his business venture came to be, Cameron previously told the BBC in 2019: 'I used to keep them as pets myself and when they lay their offspring they don't do two to four like cats or dogs, they do thousands.  

'So I used to sell them on Facebook. There's actually a pretty large market for insects as pets.'

The unique business saw particular success during the COVID lockdown as many were left with little or nothing to do.

In fact, Bug Box saw so much success they were able to create a New York division of the franchise.

The company, which also held 'fear classes' to help people battle their fears and lessons in local schools,  eventually sold for a six-figure sum in 2022. 

Despite his success with his creepy crawly business Cameron has now decided to focus his efforts on a new skincare business.

His mother, who was often tormented by bugs scurrying into her room, is also happy to hear about his new bug-free venture.

Cameron previously revealed a 'good few' insects escaped 'straight' into his mother's bedroom.

He said in 2019: 'She's found giant African millipedes in her room. There's also been centipedes that have escaped and gone straight to her room.'

The Bug Box founder's most recent skin care brand - CR Beauty - was birthed from his own phobia of needles.

He told WalesOnline: 'I wanted beauty without needles. One of my products we describe as botox in a bottle.

'There is a trend for cosmetic procedures but I have a massive phobia of needles and some people don't want procedures.'

The 22-year-old skin care brand boasts 12 products, including face masks, cream fillers and anti-ageing cream.

Cameron, who previously featured on BBC's Young Welsh & Pretty Minted, has used his Bug Box profits to help kickstart CR Beauty as well as his other venture as a freelance business adviser.

He continued: 'Selling bugs was not me anymore. It was fine for a 16-year-old but I wanted to do something different.

'I've always had a passion for skin care but knew opening my own skincare range would be complex.'