If you’ve got small, itchy red lumps on your skin and have noticed lots of mosquitoes buzzing around your house, then you’ve likely been bitten by the irritating pests.

Mosquito bites can be a nuisance but are not usually serious in the UK. For some people, mosquito bites can become infected and can cause a serious allergic reaction.

One of the best ways to avoid getting bitten by a mosquito is to deter them from entering your home in the first place.

Some of the most popular ways to deter mosquitoes include using chemical repellents, citronella candles and plug-ins.

However, these are not always the best methods if you share your home with pets or children.

With this in mind, experts have shared a natural method which involves using something you likely already have at home – coffee grounds.

According to the website Mr Mister Mosquito Control, coffee grounds are a “natural mosquito repellent that can help fight off mosquitoes from your home”.

Coffee grounds can mask the scents that attract mosquitoes which can make it harder for them to target you.

Coffee, which is a common household ingredient, has a pungent smell which repels not just mosquitoes but other pests too.

The experts said: “Mosquitoes, along with other bugs and insects, hate smelly things. Coffee has a strong smell, that a lot of humans love. To our benefit, mosquitoes do not like the bitter and potent smell of coffee grounds.”

Homeowners can use any unflavoured coffee to deter mosquitoes including fresh, used and burnt coffee grounds. However, the “most effective” method is to use burnt coffee grounds as this will produce a stronger smell.

How to use coffee grounds to repel mosquitoes

Sprinkle them outside

Homeowners can sprinkle coffee grounds around their garden or patio to deter mosquitoes from buzzing around. Spreading them around areas where there is outdoor seating or a pool works best.

Make sure they are placed away from pets or local wildlife.

Create a coffee ground spray

Grab a spray bottle, a pot, water and your used coffee grounds to make a handy homemade spray. Using a 2:1 ratio, boil the water and used coffee grounds together to create a handy spray.

If you have essential oils such as lemon, grapefruit or orange, add a couple of drops of these in too.

Allow the liquid to cool before transferring it to a spray bottle. The experts added: “Spray the solution on your fence as a way to track the perimeter of your property. You can spray it on the edge of your pool or deck to fight the mosquitoes from a more populated area of the area.

“If the mosquitoes are attacking your plants, spray the liquid near those plants! This is a very versatile way to use coffee grounds for mosquito control.”

Ground coffee can be bought from most local supermarkets or online. Aldi’s house blend ground coffee costs £2.19 and Morrisons’ Anytime Roast & Ground coffee costs £2.80.