Playground Proof: Pest‑Proofing Treehouses, Playsets & Backyard Forts

You open the hatch of a backyard fort and find a papery wasp nest tucked in a corner or sawdust at a deck post—this episode turns that tense moment into a kid‑safe IPM case file. Mikey opens with a short field vignette from a family call where a playset’s sheltered cavities and stored costumes invited wasps, carpenter bees, and occasional mouse nesting. Dana decodes the likeliest visitors, how to tell transit from active nesting or structural wood damage (fresh frass, flight timing, chew patterns), and why placement, drainage and stored soft goods change risk. The IPM Playbook prioritizes inspection, reversible exclusion, routine sanitation, habitat reduction and passive monitoring—no pesticide or trapping instruction. The XTERMIGATOR DIY Report gives three weekend moves parents and caretakers can do safely (photo‑map & daylight check, secure or replace soft storage, breathable mesh skirts for voids) plus clear red flags that require licensed pros. Try one micro‑check this weekend and leave an honest review.