by Terra Anders
It seemed that the infamously obnoxious Woody Woodpecker pestered his victims for the pure joy of it. In fact, in many episodes of this fun-loving cartoon the victims ended up looking far more looney than Woody. They tried ridiculous bird control methods in an attempt to end the tap, tap tapping of the woodpecker’s relentless noisemaking. From salt on his tail to cleverly disguised traps, nothing seemed to be clever enough outsmart this rambunctious woodpecker.
In reality, the North American Woodpeckers are beautiful birds that happen to have the unfortunate habit of pecking tree trunks, sides of houses, chimneys or roofs. This pecking is done for specific reasons, none of which is for the mere pleasure of watching homeowners run in horror to the library to learn about effective
bird deterrents. Woodpeckers will drum on almost anything that makes a loud sound. Drumming that creates a loud noise is almost always done to attract a mate. This is a musical ritual performed by both male and female woodpeckers, and will dramatically increase in the Spring during breeding season.
The indentations from pecking are also done to mark the pest bird’s territory, warning other woodpeckers that this area is taken. Drumming on tree trunks is likely done in search of food that might be lingering just a peck away. Homeowners who find the sides of their home or barns abused by the bird’s drumming, might find this is actually from the pest bird’s drilling a nesting cavity safe from predators, but close to a good food supply.
Woodpecker control can actually be quite effective, and it doesn’t have to peck away at the pocketbook.
Woodpecker deterrents are simple to install, and if set up before the Spring mating season, can eliminate the temptation of Woody and his friends from even stopping by for a visit. To humanely
keep birds away, try some of these simple pre-season steps.
Rid yards of any dead or dying trees or trunks that might invite woodpeckers searching for an entry point. Schedule regular maintenance checks with a pest control service to be sure that termites or other wood boring insects can be found. Eliminating the food source is one way to make sure the woodpecker’s drumming is short lived.
Most birds do not like bright colored moving objects. Hanging strips of red and silver mylar flash tape from the roofline of is one persuasive
bird control method that can scare birds away from house siding or eaves. This tape can also be used in the gardens or patios to deter birds from pecking at fruit or tree nuts.
If the woodpeckers have already landed, you can fight noise with noise by using a
bird control sonic sound device. This apparatus comes complete with speakers and pre-programmed sounds that replicate bird distress sounds and broadcasts these sounds at ten-minutes intervals so woodpeckers will feel threatened and leave. Those that haven’t landed won’t touch down.
Setting up
bird deterrents for the North American Woodpecker doesn’t have to look like a script from a cartoon strip. Just using a few of the steps mentioned here can keep Woody and his feathered flocks flying right on by.
