Have you ever heard that insistent rhythmic drumming against your house? It sounds like nature’s orchestra, but it can quickly become a nightmare. The owner of that sound is a woodpecker. While they’re beautiful birds, they can be a real headache for homeowners.
Woodpeckers can cause much damage to the siding, digging rows of tiny holes or, if they are creating a nest, larger cavities. It can be frustrating when you feel that your home has turned into a drumming pad for a woodpecker, but no need to fret anymore because there is hope. Woodpeckers are covered by law; therefore, there is no alternative but to have them. The good news is that you do not have to go the route of doing something harmful or illegal to protect your property.
This blog will explore effective and humane strategies to deter woodpeckers and keep your home safe.
Why Do Woodpeckers Peck?
Woodpeckers may be pecking at your house for a few reasons. The first reason could be the mating season. During this season, they make a loud drumming noise on surfaces like your home to attract a mate and mark their territory. Another reason could be the insects in your home that you might not know about. Your house could have insects living in the wood, such as ants or termites, which they are trying to eat.
Birds choose the trees according to their need to make their own home there. This, therefore, implies that their pecking also signifies a possibility of raising their little ones by enlargement of bigger holes so that they would nest there; other species used to make minor holes in a wooden structure while the acorn woodpeckers make acorns for stock and store the nuts in various trees.
How to Stop Woodpeckers from Pecking Your House?
Woodpeckers pecking at your house can be a real nuisance, but there are several ways to address the issue humanely and effectively. Knowing the reason behind the pecking helps you choose the most effective deterrent. Let’s explore some proven and effective strategies to deter woodpeckers:
Eliminate the Root Cause
Sometimes, the best offence is a good defence.
Pest Control
So long as they are feeding on a mega banquet of insects within your siding, they will keep returning. Find and eliminate every type of infestation, whether carpenter ants, bees, or termites, as this removes the food from the birds’ source inside your house. Contact a pest control professional for effective and safe insect removal.
Address Existing Damage
Existing holes in your siding can attract more woodpeckers, especially if they’re looking for nesting sites. Repair any holes with wood putty or epoxy. This not only improves your home’s appearance but also discourages further nesting attempts.
Deterrents and Repellents
Making your house less welcoming to woodpeckers can encourage them to find a new hangout spot.
Visual Deterrents
Woodpeckers are often deterred by shiny, moving objects. Try these visual deterrents:
- Reflective Materials: Hang strips of aluminum foil, mirrors, mylar tape, reflective streamers, or even old CDs near the affected areas. The movement and reflection can startle and discourage woodpeckers.
- Fake Predators: Place plastic owls or hawks near the pecking sites. While initially effective, woodpeckers may become accustomed to these over time.
- Wind-Activated Deterrents: Hang windsocks, pinwheels, or wind chimes to create movement and noise that woodpeckers find unsettling.
Auditory Deterrents
Sound can also be used to deter woodpeckers. Especially distress calls. Consider using recordings of woodpecker distress calls or predator calls. However, like visual deterrents, woodpeckers can habituate to these sounds, reducing their effectiveness.
Motion-Activated Sprinklers
These sprinklers provide a harmless but effective deterrent. When a woodpecker lands on your house, the motion sensor triggers a burst of water, startling the bird and discouraging its return.
Provide Alternative Resources
Offering woodpeckers alternative food and nesting options can lure them away from your house.
Food Sources
Hanging suet feeders well away from the house, particularly woodpecker-specific ones, will provide naturalized food through native berry-producing trees and shrubs. Specific plants may include things like chokecherries, serviceberries, dogwoods, and wild cherries.
Nesting Sites
Install woodpecker nesting boxes specifically designed for the species in your area. Place these boxes away from your house, preferably in a natural setting. Pre-fill the boxes with wood chips to make them more appealing, as woodpeckers prefer to excavate their own nesting cavities.
Physical Barriers
Sometimes, a physical barrier is the best solution to prevent woodpeckers from accessing your siding.
Bird Netting
Cover vulnerable areas with durable bird netting, keeping it taut and a few inches away from the siding to prevent woodpeckers from reaching through. For larger areas, professional installation is recommended.
Siding Replacement
However, if the damage is constant and consistent, you might have to replace that wood siding with less beautiful options: vinyl, fibre cement, or aluminum. But if you really want to still go wood, the best alternative is to use ban siding as it essentially chars the wood, making it insect-proof and not attractive to woodpeckers.
Professional Help
If you’ve tried various methods without success, or if you have an active woodpecker nest on your property, it’s time to call in professionals such as Alberta Pargin. They understand the frustration and damage these persistent birds can cause. They can safely and legally remove active nests and offer advice on preventing future woodpecker problems. Their aim is to provide cost-effective solutions without compromising on the quality of service, making them your best choice in every way.
Conclusion
Dealing with a persistent woodpecker can feel like a losing battle, but remember, there are solutions! A combination of strategies often works best to protect your home. Try a few different methods and see what discourages your particular woodpecker. Observe their behaviour – are they drumming, looking for food, or trying to nest? This will help you choose the most effective approach. Don’t be discouraged if one method doesn’t work immediately; try different approaches and observe the woodpeckers’ behaviour.
If all else fails, then you always have professionals like Alberta Pargin to save your day and your home. The key is to be patient and persistent and remember that we can coexist peacefully with wildlife while also protecting our homes. With a little effort and understanding, you can reclaim your house and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature without the constant drumming of a woodpecker.
