Woodpecker Deterrents

If you’re a homeowner in any area where there are trees, you’ve probably had problems with woodpeckers. They often drill nasty, gaping holes in your siding, fascia boards, EIFS, and those beautiful architectural elements created with foam.

The problem is compounded by the fact that woodpeckers are classified as migratory, non-game birds and are protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. So forget about poisons or pellet guns. Lethal controls or nest destruction can only be implemented with a special permit issued by the Law Enforcement Division of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and after recommendation of USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Service’s personnel.

So what can you do to protect your home from woodpecker damage? Fortunately, there’s a humane and highly effective woodpecker deterrent that’s recently been developed. It’s Called BeakGuard.

BeakGuard Works

BeakGuard is a paint-on Woodpecker Deterrent that quickly conveys a warning signal to any woodpecker that may be tempted to start pecking on your home. The results are startling and virtually immediate. After two years of field testing in the most prolific woodpecker areas of the country including  Montana, Colorado, South Dakota and Washington, BeakGuard scored a success rate that exceeded 90% in deterring further building damage. 

BeakGuard was tested on building structures experiencing ongoing woodpecker problems. In one test, a remodeled office building outside of Seattle, Washington with large EIFS cornices (coated foam insulation) was assaulted by woodpeckers every season. Some years the drumming resulted in more than 10 holes around the building—holes that eventually became  nesting sites for smaller birds. The holes had to be filled with spray foam, sanded and refinished every year. After coating the building with BeakGuard, not a single woodpecker has damaged the building.

BeakGuard is Easy to Apply

Easily applied to latex painted surfaces, wood, fiber-cement, stucco, aluminum or vinyl, BeakGuard is an elastomeric acrylic. You can apply it with a brush, roller, paint pad or appropriate spray equipment. One gallon covers about 180 square feet. Thinning of the product is not recommended. BeakGuard should be screened prior to spray application, and the manufacturer recommends that you don’t thin the product. Back-roll BeakGuard when applying over acrylic finishes or other textured substrates. Depending on your climate, BeakGuard usually dries in just 24 hours.

BeakGuard Won’t Harm Birds

BeakGuard uses a common compound that will not harm woodpeckers or any other bird species. In fact, the ingredients in BeakGuard are used in many consumer products on the market today. Products like nail biting and thumb sucking deterrents used to break children of these habits use this technology.

BeakGuard Lasts and is Color Fast

Beakguard is specially engineered to leave a durable, long lasting finish. It resists dirt pick up and holds up to season after season of rough weather. It leaves a vapor permeable, flexible membrane that ensures the color won’t fade or change in tone.

If your siding is being damaged by birds, the likely culprits are woodpeckers or swallows. Without effective bird control measures to deter them, woodpeckers will peck holes in both your wood and stucco.  Smaller birds will even nest in abandoned woodpecker holes. Swallows prefer to nest on vertical surfaces under eaves or overhangs, leaving unsightly and damaging mud nests on the sides of your home.

Woodpeckers have also been known to penetrate siding and yank out the underlying wall insulation. Holes created by determined woodpeckers can be as large as 4 inches in diameter.  Imagine how your home would look if you had holes that size peppered all over your siding. You’d have to replace it or risk rainwater getting into the side of your home. That’s a huge expense you don’t really need in these tough economic times.

You need to be proactive if you want to protect the sides of your home from bird damage.  Wood siding, window frames, eaves, trim and fascia boards are all fair game. As are rustic, channeled plywood with cedar or redwood veneers. BB guns, bird poisons, or attacking their nests are a no-no. Woodpeckers and swallows are migratory, non-game birds that are protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Non-lethal, humane bird control measures should be used. Here are three effective bird control deterrents you should consider:

Woodpecker Netting 3/4" Mesh

Lightweight,  easy to handle and virtually invisible, 3/4” mesh plastic bird netting will prevent woodpeckers and swallows from accessing specific areas of your home. The netting comes in 14’ x 100’ pieces, can be cut to the desired size, and is easy to store and use. The best netting will be made from UV-protected polypropylene for lasting durability outdoors. A bird netting kit makes this netting easy to install.  The kits include Poly Clips to secure the netting under eaves.  These self-adhering clips hold the netting tightly in place.

Red-Tail Hawk Decoys

Even the dumbest, most determined bird knows it’s time to leave when they see a Red Tail Hawk.  Decoys of this predator make decorative bird-control accents around your home.  Always get the most realistic decoy you can buy. The best hawk decoys will be manufactured of heavy duty plastic to remain convincingly realistic year after year.  Just place them in high visibility areas near your home and move them around from time to time to sustain the illusion of a real live hawk.

Visual Bird Deterrents

Easy to install and relatively inexpensive, Visual Bird Deterrents include Flash Tape and Reflective Banners, which whip about in the breeze and catch the sunlight. Equally effective are Scare Eye Diverters and Bird Scare Balloons, which boast mock predator eyes that glare down on birds to convince them that danger is near. Attach these deterrents to high visibility areas around the perimeter of your home, and move them around often to convince birds they are “living” threats.

Are woodpeckers pecking holes in your wood or stucco? Do you have so many holes in your siding that smaller birds have started to nest in abandoned woodpecker holes? Without effective and humane bird deterrents, your home will be at the mercy of woodpeckers. Can you afford the expense of re-siding your home right now?

One homeowner had woodpeckers eating through the mahogany siding covering her home. But when she filled in the holes and the house was repainted, the woodpeckers came back as soon as the painters left. One woodpecker put its head into the hole it had made and yanked insulation right out of the wall. Woodpeckers have been known to peck away at siding and tear out the insulation to make a hole suitable for nesting.

Another homeowner had woodpeckers pecking right through her wood siding and through the plywood underneath. The birds promptly tore the insulation out and built a nest between the wallboard and plywood. She put tin over the holes, but the birds just pecked a new hole next to the tin. She plans on putting vinyl siding over the wood, but believes they may peck through that as well. A consultation with a bird control expert would be a smart first move.

Contrary to common belief, woodpeckers aren’t looking for bugs when they peck holes in your siding. Experts suggest that woodpeckers seek bugs in your boards less than 10 percent of the time. And the bugs they’re looking for are usually harmless to your wood or siding.

Getting rid of woodpeckers can be a challenge—unless you use professional bird control methods. Shooting them, destroying their nests, or using poisons are cruel methods that may be illegal. Woodpeckers are protected in most states, so these methods are ill advised.  Here are some woodpecker deterrents the pros recommend:

Woodpecker Deterrent Kits

To get rid of woodpeckers, get a Wood Pecker Deterrent Kit. They come with a Bird Repeller Balloon, a 50-foot roll of Flash Tape, and all the hardware you need to hang them up. Flash Tape Banners crinkle in the breeze and reflect sunlight, which will scare most birds away. Bird Repeller Balloons are covered with  a big “predator eye.” The balloons bob and weave in the wind and convince birds that a giant predator is ogling them. To ensure woodpeckers don’t get used to these “threats,” your should move them around frequently.

Lightweight Plastic Bird Netting

By physically blocking out birds from your siding, Lightweight Plastic Bird Netting denies woodpeckers access to it. Bird netting comes in several mesh sizes. For woodpeckers, get 3/4-inch mesh netting. You can also get bird netting in a variety of colors to match your home's exterior.  To keep woodpeckers away, install the netting in overhanging eaves or other nooks and crannies where woodpeckers peck.

by Alex A. Kecskes

If you’ve begun to see little holes and cavities in your home’s siding; if your patio cover is starting to look like Swiss cheese; and if you’re awaked in the mornings by the tat-tat-tat of bird beaks, well, you lucky homeowner, you’ve got some serious woodpecker problems.

Chances are, you’re being invaded by any of the 22 species of woodpeckers in North America. Most woodpeckers are attracted to earth-tone or natural-colored stains and paints. And whether it’s the Downey Woodpecker, the Hairy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, or the Northern Flicker, they'll come a knockin' and do their damage in one way or another.

You really can’t blame the little critters. They’re just foraging for insects under your eaves, siding and patio beams. Problem is, if you don’t implement some effective bird control, the tapping of one woodpecker will draw more birds to your home, and before you know it, you’ll have woodpeckers creating a symphony of destruction. And that means you’re in for some major repairs; something you don’t need in this bad economy.

If you’re thinking of using pellet guns, firecrackers, or bird poisons, forget it. You’ve got kids and pets to protect, and finicky neighbors who will bristle at the thought.

Time to implement a bird control strategy. And one of the most effective and humane ways to deter woodpeckers from your home, patio, or gazebo is Woodpecker Netting.

An ideal physical barrier, woodpecker netting has been specially designed by bird control experts to keep woodpeckers from pecking around your home. This netting works by denying woodpeckers access to wood or stucco siding. After a few unsuccessful tries, the birds will simply get discouraged by the barrier and move on to someone else’s home.

Woodpecker netting consists of a tight 3/4-inch mesh that’s small enough to prevent woodpeckers from getting through. The best netting is made from durable U.V.-protected polypropylene. This netting is lightweight, virtually invisible and easy to handle. It can even be stored and re-used as needed. And it comes with a one-year guarantee.

Woodpecker netting typically comes in a 14 x 100-foot roll. For fast, easy installation, it’s recommended that you get the added hardware, which includes “Poly-Clips. These clips make it easy to hang the net under eaves or other areas. When installing the netting, be sure to position it away from the wall of your home. Secure it to the outer edge of an eave or overhang using Poly Clips, staples, or other attachments. You can let the netting drape down the side of the wall and hang it using weights, or secure it back to the building with self-adhering hooks (you’ll find these at most hardware or lawn and garden centers).

One final bit of advice: If woodpeckers are starting to build nests in your siding, add a woodpecker nesting box. This will give them an alternative to drilling a hole in your siding.

By Terra Anders

The Pileated Woodpecker is easy to spot, and even easier to identify by its distinct drumming sound. At about 17 inches from head to tail, a crown of fire red feathers accentuates its black body. Snowy white plumes run along the bird’s checks and down the neck and under the throat. The woodpecker uses its strong silver beak dig out nest holes in dead trees or branches.  These birds have also been known to drill into the wooden siding of houses.  It is this habit that sends homeowners to the bird control experts looking for a way to deter these birds from damaging their home.

Woodpecker control efforts are best put in place prior to the bird’s mating season. During the spring woodpeckers will be on the lookout for two things: a mate and a safe place to dig a nest. Creating a plan before spring is essential to keep woodpeckers around, but prevent any woodpecker house damage from occurring.

Bird netting can be used to protect wood sidings where woodpeckers may be tempted to drill. Attach a polypropylene bird netting at the edge of the overhang with staples or plastic clips.  Make sure the netting remains a few inches away from the surface as it hangs down, covering the side of the house.  Ends can be weighted for stability, or attached to the siding using self-stick hooks.  This 3/4 inch mesh netting creates a barrier that won’t allow the woodpecker access for drilling.

Once the woodpecker netting is in place, a nesting box could be provided on the property. A wooden nesting box can act as a kind of friendly bird deterrent, since it will provide the woodpeckers a safe alternate environment to build their home. Typical nesting boxes are about 8” wide x 8” deep x 24” tall. The “front door” should be about 4 inches in diameter and be positioned toward the top of the box (about 20 inches from the floor).  Nesting boxes can stand alone on a pole lifting the nest to about 24 feet off the ground.  Better yet, hang the nesting box in a tree where woodpeckers are most comfortable. This technique of woodpecker control is humane and allows homeowners to remain on friendlier terms with the beautiful birds.

Pileated Woodpeckers generally prefer to drill their nests in a dead tree or branch. For this reason, property owners who are planning on removing dead trees should take a week to watch and closely evaluate the site.  It’s quite possible that a woodpecker family has already chosen this tree to raise their family. If a nest is found, it is best to let nature take its course before removing the tree. With a little patience and about three weeks time, the woodpecker chicks will be in flight school and quickly winging their way away from home.  The tree removal can be scheduled once the chicks have flown the nest.

Living harmoniously with woodpeckers is possible.  Understanding their mating and nesting habits will go a long way toward planning effective woodpecker control methods that give both peace of mind and a safe nesting habitat.

by Alex A. Kecskes

You invited friends and neighbors over for your annual Super Bowl party, and before the game, everyone went outside to watch the kids play, enjoy the BBQ and relax. The bad news is that your neighborhood woodpeckers also invited all their friends over—to party on your new wood patio and gazebo. And it seems they’ve been doing it for a while, since your wood now looks like Swiss cheese. Which brought out some choice remarks from your partygoers, like, “Hey, Bud, you got a woodpecker problem?”

As luck would have it, all the talk before the big game was about how to get rid of woodpeckers. This included all manner of off-the-wall suggestions like BB guns, propane cannons, firecrackers, and bird poisons. Needless to say, your better half was not a happy camper. And you got an earful after everyone left. In fact, your after-party “honey do” list got a lot longer. The list now includes, “Replace those hole-riddled beams and get some serious woodpecker control!”

So you do what the man of the house must: you consult the bird control experts. And soon, you become somewhat of an expert yourself, learning that there are as many as 22 species of woodpeckers in North America. The most common being the Downey Woodpecker, the Hairy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, and the Northern Flicker. You further expand your knowledge by discovering that most woodpeckers are attracted to earth-tone or natural-colored stains and paints (which describes your patio cover).

You also discover that woodpeckers like to feast on the very insects concealed in your patio beams. It’s no wonder the little peckerheads were drawn to your patio. Finally, you learn that there are two effective ways to deter woodpeckers from your patio, your gazebo and your home (you’re lucky they didn’t attack your nice wood siding). The two woodpecker deterrents include:

Sonic Woodpecker Deterrents

These devices are easy to set up and will scare the pants off woodpeckers. They broadcast bird distress and predator calls that resemble everyday bird sounds, so they won’t annoy pets or your friends and party guests. One bird sonic system currently available can emit distress and predator calls for 22 different species of birds—so no matter which woodpecker species you have, they’ll get the message and leave. The best sonic bird deterrents will have a built-in speaker, come with a volume control and be programmable to turn on or off at night.

Visual Woodpecker Deterrents

For optimum results, and since woodpeckers have already laid claim to your patio cover and property, you should also consider adding some visual bird deterrents. These include banners that snap in the breeze and reflect sunlight, which makes woodpeckers feel very nervous, and bird scare balloons covered with large predator eyes to make woodpeckers feel observed and hunted by large predators. Visual bird deterrents are relatively inexpensive and easily installed just about anywhere. They even add to the party atmosphere.

by Alex A. Kecskes

Your neighbor had woodpeckers peck holes in his beautiful wood siding. It was a sight to see. Holes everywhere--as if his house had been hit with shotguns. He finally decided to get some bird deterrents. They won’t be bothering his house anymore—they’ll be coming to your house. Because you didn’t install any bird deterrents. And you’ve got some really “tasty” wood siding.  So as far as the woodpeckers are concerned, it’s open season on your property. They’ll come in the spring. A few at first, looking for insects, digging and poking, And once they’ve discovered a food source, they’ll turn your siding into Swiss cheese. 

You’ll bang pots, put the water hose to them, maybe hit a few with your BB gun, but they’ll be back. They love cedar and redwood and the bark on that favorite old tree your kids play on. Try to destroy them or mess with their nests and you could be fined. Woodpeckers, you see, are classified as migratory non-game birds and are protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

What you need to protect your home and that favorite tree are some serious and humane woodpecker deterrents. No need to harm the little peckers, just convince them to move on. Here are a few suggestions from the pros:

Woodpecker Deterrent Kits

One proven way to get rid of woodpeckers is with a Wood Pecker Deterrent Kit. These include one Bird Repeller Balloon, a 50-foot roll of Flash Tape, and exactly the right hardware to hang these deterrents.

All birds get real nervous around shiny wavy things, especially if they make noise. Flash Tape Banners crinkle in the breeze and reflect sunlight, which is enough to spook most birds. It’s the same with Bird Repeller Balloons. These beachball-size deterrents feature a big “predator eye,” and when they bob and weave in the breeze, birds think it’s some huge predator ready to pounce on them. To ensure woodpeckers believe these are real threats, it’s best to move them around from time to time.

Lightweight Plastic Bird Netting

This popular bird deterrent works on the principle of exclusion. It physically blocks out birds from roosting and nesting. And they have to do that to feel comfortable while pecking and looking for food. Plastic bird netting comes in several mesh sizes. To keep out woodpeckers, you’ll need 3/4-inch mesh netting. Some manufacturers even offer bird netting in a variety of colors to match your home's exterior.  To keep woodpeckers away from your siding, you should install bird netting in overhanging eaves or any other nooks and crannies where woodpeckers search for food.

So there you have it: two effective ways to keep your neighbor’s woodpeckers from invading your property. Don’t wait too long, though. Once they’ve invaded your property, it’s hard to get rid of them.

by Alex A. Kecskes

Your average woodpecker is 7 to 15 inches long, with short legs, sharp-clawed toes and stiff tails. These birds feed primarily feed on wood-boring insects like spiders and caterpillars.  Unless woodpecker deterrents are used, your home, garage, patio and other structures will be prime targets for attack.

While they’re considered migratory, many woodpeckers stay in the states in which they are found. Woodpeckers usually arrive in the spring, when pairs are on the lookout for nesting cavities. They will attack your favorite trees, leaving unsightly holes and possibly injuring the trees by leaving them vulnerable to damaging insects

Woodpeckers are responsible for considerable property damage to thousands of homes across the country. When they are in their feeding mode, they forage for food by drilling holes in wood and synthetic stucco siding and eaves. Bees and other insects use the grooves in board-and-batten siding to lay eggs, which will attract these birds.

If your home has wooden shingles, cedar or redwood siding, your property is vulnerable to damage. By the way, woodpeckers will also attack your rain gutters (both metal and plastic gutters are prime targets). They’re not shy about attacking your chimney caps and TV antennas (these things make a lot of noise, which is what they like). Woodpeckers prefer to “drum” in the early morning and late afternoon.

So how can you get rid of these annoying birds? The temptation is to use noisemakers, avicides, BB guns and other means to deter or eliminate woodpeckers from your home and property. But these means can be problematic and ineffective. For one thing, woodpeckers are classified as migratory non-game birds and are protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It stipulates, “before any person may take, possess, or transport any migratory bird or its parts, including feathers, eggs, and nest, they must secure a permit issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The good news is that there are many effective and humane woodpecker deterrents you can use to keep woodpeckers from damaging your property.

A good place to start is the visual deterrent. These come in various shapes and sizes to frighten birds and discourage them from building nests. Perhaps the least expensive deterrents are bird scare banners and balloons. Banners can easily be hung anywhere and will crinkle in the breeze and reflect sunlight to make birds feel uncomfortable.  You can also affix large shiny balloons to various areas of you home and garden.  These bob and weave in the breeze, and they feature a large predator eye that convinces most birds they are being “sized up” for a meal. Keep in mind that most birds are smart, so it’s best to move these visual woodpecker deterrents often so birds don't get accustomed to them.

Another very effective woodpecker deterrent is lightweight plastic bird netting. Here, you’re physically excluding birds from certain areas of your home and property. You can get plastic bird netting in several mesh sizes to block out various size birds. For most woodpeckers, you’ll need a 3/4-inch mesh size. Today’s bird netting even comes in various colors to match your home's exterior.  Netting is most effective when installed in overhanging eaves, and other places that provide semi-shelter for birds. Be sure to secure the netting tightly to prevent birds from working their way around the netting.

One manufacturer offers a bird netting kit. It includes bird net hardware and perimeter cable—ideal for hanging the net and keeping it taut so that no gaps remain for birds to enter. Each netting kit also includes cable crimps, turnbuckles, intermediate attachments, hog rings, and accessories—everything you need to properly hang the netting.

The secret to keeping woodpeckers away from your home and property is to think ahead and install woodpecker deterrents before the birds show up.

by Alex A. Kecskes

You take great pride in the appearance of your home. You paint it, replace or repair the siding, and maintain the shutters. After all that work and expense, you don’t need woodpeckers defacing your home with holes and unsightly marks. But it can happen--if you don’t implement effective woodpecker deterrents.

As many homeowners have painfully learned, woodpeckers can drill holes into wood siding, window frames, eaves, trim and fascia boards. They often hammer cedar and redwood siding until it looks like the surface of the moon. If you have a façade or decorative fir, pine or cypress, they’ll attack that too. Regrettably, woodpeckers prefer new construction and rustic, channeled plywood with cedar or redwood veneers. Many a homeowner has been saddened to discover the tell-tale narrow horizontal line of holes on the side of their home as woodpeckers forage for insects. These birds will even go after the plastic parts in your rooftop solar panels. Without effective woodpecker controls, your home is at the mercy of these pests.

As if damage to your home wasn’t enough, woodpeckers can drive you crazy with their incessant drumming--especially in the springtime. They seem to love to bang away at the hollow areas where their drumming makes the most noise. That includes your metal rain gutters, downspouts, chimney caps, TV dish antennas, rooftop plumbing vents, and metal roof valleys. Ask any homeowner with a woodpecker problem: these birds will drum all day long, week after maddening week.

It’s enough to make you want to whip out the BB gun or even bird poisons. Unfortunately for you and fortunately for them, woodpeckers are migratory, non-game birds that are fully protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. In fact, the red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) and the ivory-billed woodpecker (Campephilus principalis) are both listed as Endangered Species and cannot be touched without incurring the penalty of law.

Fortunately for you, there are a number of effective and humane woodpecker control measures you can use to solve most woodpecker problems.

One widely used woodpecker deterrent is lightweight plastic bird netting. This method works because you’re physically excluding pest birds from specific areas.  Birds simply can’t get at your property. Plastic bird netting typically comes in several mesh sizes to block out various size birds. For most woodpeckers, you’ll need a 3/4-inch mesh size. If you’re concerned about the appearance of bird netting, high quality netting is now available in various colors to match your home's exterior.

When installing the netting, be sure to leave a 3-inch space between the netting and the area to be protected. You don’t want the birds to drum their beaks through the mesh. You can also install bird netting to the overhanging eaves, then swing back to your exposed siding. For best results, secure the netting tightly to prevent birds from getting behind it.

To streamline the installation of bird netting, one manufacturer offers a bird netting kit. These kits include bird net hardware to help match any job. Things like perimeter cable, which can be set up around the area to be netted off to ensure that there are no gaps for birds to enter, and that the netting stays taut. The kits may also include netting hardware--items like cable crimps, turnbuckles, intermediate attachments, hog rings, and accessories and tools to ensure a correct and lasting installation.

It’s sometimes best to add additional deterrents to your home (in addition to netting). Combined, two woodpecker control approaches create an effective solution to the woodpecker problem. For example, consider installing some visual deterrents like banners that crinkle in the breeze and reflect sunlight. Or balloons emblazoned with large predator eyes to intimidate pest birds. For best effect, visual woodpecker deterrents should be moved around often so birds don't get used to them.

Above all, it’s important to be proactive and install these woodpecker controls and deterrents before the birds arrive.  Once these birds have “set up shop,” it’s pretty hard to get rid of them.

by Alex A. Kecskes

Woodpeckers will be coming to your home soon—most usually arrive in the spring.
They’ll be in their feeding mode, foraging for food, drilling holes in your beautiful wood and synthetic stucco siding and eaves. They’ll be pecking and drilling in the grooves in board-and-batten siding, digging out insects and trying to attract mates with their incessant pecking. Your home will be at their mercy. If you don’t protect it with woodpecker deterrents, you can say hello to big unsightly holes.

After a while, your wooden shingles, cedar or redwood siding will look like Swiss cheese.
Woodpeckers will also attack your metal or plastic gutters, your chimney caps and TV antennas. The noise they make will drive you crazy--especially in the early morning hours. They’ll also attack your favorite trees, damaging the bark and leaving gaping holes, which can leave your trees vulnerable to predatory insects.

The solution? Forget noisemakers, avicides, BB guns and the like. They’re just temporary measures that can threaten kids, pets and neighbors. Besides, woodpeckers are classified as migratory non-game birds and are protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It warns that, “Before any person may take, possess, or transport any migratory bird or its parts, including feathers, eggs, and nest, they must secure a permit issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

All is not lost. There are many effective and humane woodpecker deterrents you can use to protect your property from damage.

For starters, you can invest in a Wood Pecker Deterrent Kit. These offer a low cost solution to most pest bird problems. They include one Bird Repeller Balloon, a 50-foot roll of Flash Tape, and all the hardware you’ll need to hang these deterrents. The deterrents are extremely easy to install, highly effective and very humane.

The Flash Tape Banners can be hung anywhere and will crinkle in the breeze and reflect sunlight to make birds feel too nervous to stick around. Bird Repeller Balloons are big and shiny with a large eye. When these balloons bob and weave in the breeze, woodpeckers will get the feeling they’re being watched by a huge predator. For best results, it’s recommended that you move these visual deterrents around from time to time to keep the birds “on their toes.”

Woodpecker Kits should be used wherever woodpeckers have become a nuisance. You should install the deterrents on the side of your home, under eaves, and in your backyard or front yard to protect your trees. Installation is a snap. Simply install the brackets included in the kit using ordinary screws. Make sure that the brackets are at least 3 feet apart to cover the area where woodpeckers are attacking. Hang the flash tape from the two smaller brackets by tying a knot around the bracket. Cut the flash tape in 3-foot lengths or longer. When installing the Balloon, inflate it, apply the decals, and hang it from the larger bracket.

Another effective woodpecker deterrent is lightweight plastic bird netting. This easy to handle netting works by creating a barrier that physically excludes woodpeckers from specific areas of your home and property. Plastic bird netting comes in several mesh sizes. The most commonly used netting for woodpeckers is a 3/4-inch mesh size. You can also get bird netting in various colors to match your home's exterior. The best place to install bird netting is in overhanging eaves or any other area that offers shelter for birds. When installing the netting, make sure that you secure it tightly to prevent woodpeckers from squeezing their way around the netting’s perimeter.

The secret to keeping woodpeckers away from your home and property is to plan ahead and install woodpecker deterrents early--before the birds show up. Once they decide to make your house their home, it’s a real challenge to get rid of them.