Honestly, the wood matters, but it is rarely the whole story. Certain woods can make a park bench more inviting to ants and carpenter bees, especially if the bench is untreated, damp, or dirty.
If a bench is made from untreated softwoods like pine, fir, or spruce, it can soak up moisture, crack, and begin to soften over time. That damp, weathered wood is very attractive to ants, especially carpenter ants, which prefer moist or decaying wood for nesting. Spilled drinks, crumbs, or sticky residue on the surface will also draw ordinary ants no matter what wood you choose.
Bees are a bit different. Honeybees and most wasps are not interested in wood itself. They may show up if the bench is near flowering plants, clover, or spilled sugary drinks. Carpenter bees, though, will tunnel into untreated, unpainted softwoods — including pine, cedar, and sometimes redwood — to make nests. They do not eat wood, but they can leave round holes and sawdust behind. A bench with a good coat of paint, stain, or sealant is far less appealing to them.
Some woods naturally resist pests. Cedar, redwood, teak, and black locust contain natural oils or compounds that help repel decay and many insects. They are not completely pest-proof, but they are much less likely to attract wood-boring or moisture-loving pests than untreated pine or spruce. Pressure-treated lumber is another solid choice for rot and insect resistance.
That said, even pest-resistant wood will not stay clean on its own. Ants and bees can still visit any bench if it is sticky, covered in pollen, or sitting near trash and flowering plants. The best defense is regular maintenance: wipe the bench down, keep it dry, seal or paint raw wood, and do not let food or sugary drinks linger. If you already have a softwood bench, applying a quality exterior sealant once a year can make a big difference.
So yes, the type of wood does matter. But how you maintain the bench matters just as much. Choose a naturally resistant or treated wood, keep it clean, and bees and ants will not have much reason to stick around.