Take the Sting Out of the Swing: How to Keep Insects from Nesting in Play Equipment

With summer swiftly approaching, your family will look forward to outdoor picnics, barbeques, and other outdoor activities. It’s also a time to open up the pool and take out the swing sets for your kids. Summer is an exciting time for everyone, but bees, bugs and other insects can no doubt spoil the fun. These insects take over your outdoor space and sometimes make their homes in children’s play equipment. Your child might unknowingly arouse the ire of a nearby insect and suffer the consequences.

If you want to bee-proof your children’s swing set and other outdoor play things, there are several ways to go about it. However, insect proofing should not be a substitute for educating your children about bees and their behaviors, and what they should do if the bees come around. Here are some common sense tips to ensure summer outdoor time is enjoyable for everyone.

Choose an appropriate location

Insect proofing starts with choosing the right spot for the playground. If you own a swing set like the ones at swingsetsonline.com, you need to find an ideal place to set up. Ideally, you should not set up anywhere close to water since bees need water to keep their hives cool in the summer. If your children’s swing set is located near a bird bath, lake, or fountain, bees will consider it the perfect place to build their hives.

Maintain your lawn

There are many compelling reasons to keep your lawn trimmed during the summer. While the grass may not spring up as high as they would in spring, it’s crucial that you schedule time for regular maintenance if you want to keep bees and other insects away. Bees are especially drawn to grassy areas because they provide a haven to rest and collect nectar from nearby flowers.

Use repellents

When all else fails, you could always use repellents to keep the bees away. Strong and chemical ridden repellents might not be a smart solution for children’s play areas, so look for effective herbal solutions. Try mixing a combination of peppermint, lemongrass, and citronella or using tea tree oil to keep the bees away. Bees are naturally repulsed by the scent of these oils, so spray them liberally on the trees, grass and even on the underside of the swing sets. Rub some of the repellent on your children’s wrist or in their hair to protect them from bites and stings when they go out to play.

You’ll need to apply herbal repellents often because they lose their potency within hours. Commercial repellents like Bee-Tour might not have a pleasant odor, but they keep bees away, and the potency lasts for a few weeks.

If the bees are persistent, you might need to relocate the play area or apply an insecticide directly on the hive to get rid of the bees permanently. Wait until late evening to apply the insecticide as this is the time when bees are settled in the hive.

About the Author

Jeremy S knows not everyone shares his love of insects and arachnids. He enjoys blogging about ways to keep areas clear and safe from unwanted and dangerous creepy crawlies.