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How to Keep Bees From a Cedar Playset

Carpenter bees often flock to soft wood, such as the wood found in cedar playsets, to bore holes in an attempt to find a new place to nest. Though these bees are less likely to sting and attack than the common honeybee, they often scare small children. To prevent the appearance of bees, treat the soft wood of your cedar playset with a wood sealant and rid the area of any nearby beehives.

Things You'll Need

Wood finish
Paintbrush
Dryer sheets

Instructions

- 1
  Look for beehives and wasp nests during the evening. If you see a nest, call an exterminator to safely remove it. A nearby beehive increases the risk of bees coming to your playset, no matter how well you treat it.
- 2
  Examine the playset for round holes. Carpenter bees often bore holes in soft wood, like cedar. If you see any holes, fill them with dryer sheets or with wood chips.
- 3
  Seal your cedar playset with a wood seal designed specifically for cedar. Hold the can of sealant 8 to 12 inches from the playset and spray. Cover the entire playset. If you are using a liquid sealant, dip a paintbrush in sealant and apply it over the entire surface of the playset. Allow it to air dry.
- 4
  Add a second layer of sealant after the first layer has dried for about 24 hours. Allow the sealant to dry for another 24 hours before you use the playset.
- 5
  Spray the base of the playset with bug spray, if bees continue to flock to the playset.

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