Woodpecker Deterrents

by Alex A. Kecskes

Woodpeckers on homes can give homeowners an awful lot of grief. They will tap-tap night and day on aluminum siding and wood, and leave nasty little holes in fascia or trim boards, on wood beams, even stucco or brick. They'll puncture metal gutters, downspouts, chimney tops and roof vents. They can quickly disfigure board-and batten or tongue-and-groove siding, especially at the seams, leaving gaping, baseball size holes. Instinct makes them do it. The birds are simply looking for insects, nesting cavities, or ways to communicate with other woodpeckers.

There are 22 species of woodpeckers in North America, the most common being the Downey Woodpecker. Also quite ubiquitous are the Hairy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker and the Northern Flicker. The birds are protected under the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, so you can put away your BB gun, poisons or other lethal traps. Any bird control measure used to deter woodpeckers on homes must be non-lethal and humane.  Fortunately, there are a number of humane and highly effective bird deterrents you can use to discourage woodpeckers from your home.

Sonic Bird Deterrents

Certain sounds can keep woodpeckers from homes. Sounds emitted by Sonic Bird Deterrents. These devices create alarming distress and predator calls that make woodpeckers nervous enough to leave. One bird control manufacturer teamed up with ornithologists at a major university to develop just the right sounds to deter pest birds. They came up with a device that broadcasts distress and/or predator calls of 22 different species of birds. And, yes, the device can be programmed to emit hawk sounds, a woodpecker's natural enemy. If yours is a large property with several buildings, not to worry, some sonic bird deterrents will cover up to an acre. You can even attach extra speakers to expand the coverage up to six acres.

Bird Scare Devices

The problem of woodpeckers on homes can be solved by using a little bird psychology, which can be quite effective if done properly. The Bird Scare Device is an ideal way to bird proof a number of areas from woodpeckers. Among the many such devices are Flash Tape and Reflective Banners, which are made of iridescent material that crinkles and reflects sunlight. The audio-visual distractions they create alarms most species of woodpeckers. 

Bird Scare Balloons work on the same basic principle with the added deterrent of large reflective predator eyes that makes woodpeckers feel threatened. Most Bird Scare Balloons are approximately16” diameter when fully inflated, and the best balloons are made of a U.V.- and weather-resistant vinyl. Finally, there's the Bird Scare Diverter, a pendant-like banner covered with a large mock eye to give woodpeckers the creeps.

These devices are easy to install and use, and they work best when hung as close as possible to the area plagued by woodpeckers. They should also be moved around and swapped out occasionally to prevent woodpeckers from getting used to them.

Bird Netting

An ideal exclusionary method for eliminating woodpeckers on homes, Bird Netting denies these birds direct access to specific areas of a dwelling.  Today's bird netting comes in a variety of types, cuts, mesh sizes and colors, so there's lots of flexibility here. For woodpeckers, 3/4-inch mesh size is probably best. It also doesn't hurt to go with U.V. stabilized, flame resistant and rot- and water-proof netting. Consider non-conductive netting for installations where electrical conductivity or radio frequency interference could cause problems. The best bird proof netting meets ISO 1806 protocols.

Installation is fairly straightforward. Simply stretch the bird netting from the eaves to a lower point on your home. Remember to leave at least three inches of space between the netting and damaged surface so that the birds can't peck through the mesh. If you choose a netting color that blends with your home's exterior, the netting will be barely visible from a distance of a few yards. Netting can be attached using tape, staples, or hooks on the eaves and the side of your home. Using hooks lets you easily take down the netting to replace light bulbs or paint. If you use staples, make sure they are rust-resistant to avoid unsightly rust stains on the building.

Remove Their Food Source 

In conjunction with these deterrents, it would be wise to remove a woodpecker's food sources. Insects burrowed in the home keep woodpeckers on homes. You should perform an inspection around the exterior of your home every other month or so to be on the lookout for certain insects woodpeckers like to feast on. These include the following:

Leafcutter bees--these insects love to nest in the gaps of your horizontal wood siding. They also like cedar shake roofs with their vertical cracks. Woodpeckers often make small horizontal or vertical rows of holes as they search for these little bugs.

Female carpenter bees--these insects drill small round holes about the size of a dime into many different types of wood, including siding and roofing. If these bees have burrowed a three-foot long tunnel, a woodpecker will drill your siding for the full length of the tunnel.

Bagworm larvae--these resemble tiny caterpillars attached to tree trunks, wood fencing, or siding. Woodpeckers will go after these larvae and do damage in the process.

Getting rid of these insects can make your property less inviting to woodpeckers. Combined with the bird proofing methods outlined above, they can keep your home from the damage and noise woodpeckers can create. Being proactive is the key, for once these birds start nesting and roosting on your home, it can be tough to remove them.