With the weather set to sizzle as summer finally arrives, a mum has shared a genius tip for keeping bugs out of your paddling pool – and all you need is a common household item that most of us will already own.

Parenting specialist Kirsty Ketley, 42, has previously made headlines for revealing the worst parenting tips and myths that we should avoid.

Now, Surrey-based Kirsty, who is mum to Ella, 10, and Leo, six, has shared a clever hack for ensuring pesky bugs don’t get in your paddling pools this summer.

Sharing a video on Instagram, she shows her paddling pool with no cover, and then adds an old sheet on top to protect it from bugs without having to continuously refill or deflate it.

“When we first got a bigger pool, we were looking at buying a proper pool cover and then we just thought, why not just use a sheet?” Kirsty, who offers her services under the name Auntie K, told NeedToKnow.co.uk.

“It saved us money and does the job well.

“It's helpful to keep the neighbourhood cats from sinking their claws into the inflatable part too.

“The sheet is an old one that we have kept for decorating and I think the covers are a minimum of £10.

“We used to have a bigger pool and used a couple of sheets to cover it fully.”

The hack was well received on Instagram.

One viewer commented: “Ooh no I didn’t know this one! Great tip, thanks for sharing.”

“Nice! Nope did not know this but will def try it this summer, thanks!” another fan said. [sic]

Someone else added: “We just pumped up last year's paddling pool. Exactly the same one. Great tip thanks!”

ENDS

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