Woodpeckers can be persistent and annoying birds when they decide to tap on your house. The tapping and drumming sounds they make can be disruptive and damage wooden infrastructure. There are several methods you can try to make woodpeckers go away without harming them. Understanding why they are pecking in the first place and addressing the underlying issues will increase your chances of success. Being patient and experimenting with multiple deterrents may be necessary.
Why Do Woodpeckers Peck?
Woodpeckers peck and drum on objects for several reasons:
- To establish territory and attract a mate
- To create nesting and roosting holes
- To find food such as insects and larvae hiding within trees
- To communicate with other woodpeckers
During breeding season, woodpecker pecking and drumming will become more frequent as males establish territory and search for a mate. Pecking increases as pairs drill cavities to use for nesting and raising young. The loud, repetitive pecking produces a sound that resonates through the forest, signaling a woodpecker’s presence to competitors and potential partners. Pecking on houses becomes problematic when suitable nesting trees are scarce.
When Are Woodpeckers Most Active?
Woodpeckers are most active and noisy in the early mornings and springtime:
- Mornings: Woodpeckers drum and call more frequently in the mornings and midday to announce their territory and find a mate.
- Spring: Drumming and pecking peaks during spring as woodpeckers establish nesting territories and breed.
If you notice increased woodpecker activity in the early mornings or during spring, it is likely related to breeding behavior and defending territory. Take action as soon as possible before they cause damage or become habitual.
Deterring Woodpeckers Without Harming Them
Here are the top 7 methods for safely making woodpeckers leave your house alone:
1. Install bird deterrent devices
Hanging or installing physical barriers can discourage woodpeckers from landing and climbing on your house. Some options include:
- Plastic or nylon netting – Secured tightly against surfaces to block access
- Metal flashing or aluminum foil strips – Reflects light and obstructs landing spots
- Motion-activated sprinklers – Emits sudden bursts of water to startle birds away
- Scarecrow silhouettes – Lifelike cutouts of humans or predator birds provoke fear
- Wind chimes, aluminum pie pans – Noises startle and repelwoodpeckers
Covering woodpecker landing spots with netting or reflective deterrents is often effective. Install deterrents over the eaves, gable vents, edges of roofs, and anywhere you notice pecking.
2. Modify habitats to reduce appeal
Eliminating wooden surfaces and food sources near your home decreases its appeal to woodpeckers. Try these habitat modifications:
- Install metal utility pole caps to discourage nest cavities
- Trim tree branches away from the roof and siding
- Clean out gutters to remove insect attractants
- Use insecticides to reduce food sources like ants
- Cover wooden surfaces with metal or vinyl siding
- Fill existing holes and crevices with caulk or wood filler
Discourage nesting early before birds become attached to drilling sites. Limit perching spots and food availability to make your home less inviting.
3. Generate loud noises to scare them
Woodpeckers startle easily by loud, abrupt sounds. Try these auditory deterrents:
- Bang pots and pans together near pecking sites
- Use an air horn, whistle, or small party popper
- Place a radio tuned to talk stations near pecking areas
- Tap on windows or clap hands loudly to frighten them off
Make the sounds突然 and unpredictable to prevent woodpeckers from habituating. Vary the location, timing, and types of noises.
4. Apply odor repellents
Smearing smelly substances on active pecking spots can discourage further damage. Safe odor deterrent options include:
- Cayenne pepper gel or powdered spice
- Garlic oil or chopped garlic cloves
- Menthol rubs like Vick’s VapoRub
- Essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree
- Soaps andpredator urine
Reapply repellent odors frequently, especially after rain. Avoid capsaicin gels marketed specifically for woodpeckers, as they can harm the birds.
5. Use visual frights and repellents
Woodpeckers are wary of strange and intimidating sights. Visual tactics include:
- Hanging shiny CD discs to reflect light
- Tying balloons inflated with helium near pecked areas
- Displaying large plastic owls or rubber snakes
- Attaching hawk or owl decoy kites and silhouettes
- Placing large googly eyes over pecked spots
Frequently relocate visual frights so woodpeckers don’t adjust to them. Combine them with sound makers for added effect.
6. Install roost boxes as an alternative
Putting up nesting boxes fitted for woodpeckers provides an approved nesting site away from your house. Ideal roost box features:
- Internal dimensions about 8 x 8 x 12 inches
- Circular entrance hole 1.5 inches across
- Roughened interior front panel for drumming
- Packed wood shavings inside
- Mounted 15-30 feet high on tree trunks
Placing nest boxes in nearby woods gives woodpeckers a safe alternative for their cavities.
7. Use non-toxic bird repellent chemicals
Applying EPA-registered woodpecker repellents creates a coating that irritates birds upon contact:
- Polybutenes – Sticky material makes surfaces frustrating for birds to land on
- Methyl anthranilate – Plant-based extract with a grape flavor birds dislike
- Anthraquinone – Derived from plant fiber, causes stomach upset in birds
Chemical repellents work best when combined with physical barriers. Follow product instructions carefully.
When to Call a Professional
If DIY efforts fail to stop a woodpecker from destroying your house, a wildlife management professional may be able to help. Consider hiring a specialist if:
- Damage is extensive or woodpeckers pose safety risks
- Legal action is required like nest removal or exclusions
- You are unable to identify entry points or reach pecked areas
Professionals have access to equipment and techniques homeowners lack, like:
- High ladders, lifts, and climbing gear to inspect roofs
- Specialized exclusion devices and one-way doors
- Trained personnel to remove nests, eggs, and fledglings
- Hazing permits for noisemakers and pyrotechnics
- More intensive relocation and removal options
Getting expert assistance saves time and prevents liability when woodpecker issues escalate. Look for certified wildlife control operators familiar with woodpecker deterrents and exclusion methods.
Preventive Measures
Implementing preventive measures proactively can help avoid woodpecker damage in the first place:
- Install metal utility pole caps and robust siding during construction
- Routinely inspect the house for small holes needing repair
- Trim back tree branches touching the building
- Keep gutters clean and chimney tops sealed
- Use chemical sealants on exposed wood surfaces
- Promptly install deterrents at the first sign of pecking
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to woodpecker damage. Take steps to reduce attractants and access points before issues arise.
Benefits of Preventing Woodpecker Damage
Preventing woodpeckers from damaging your home provides many benefits:
- Avoids costly repairs from pecking holes and nest cavities
- Prevents deterioration of infrastructure like siding, roofs, and utilities
- Lessens noise disturbances from pecking and drumming
- Reduces risks associated with structural instability or exposed surfaces
- Helps maintain property value by keeping the exterior intact
- Allows peaceful coexistence with woodpeckers nearby
With smart preventive action, woodpeckers and homeowners can live in harmony without destructive encounters.
Conclusion
Woodpeckers can be among the most stubborn and frustrating bird pests, notorious for pecking holes in homes. Their loud drumming carries aggressively through walls and wood infrastructure as they excavate territories. However, there are many humane and effective means for discouraging woodpeckers without harming them.
Combining physical deterrents, habitat modifications, frightening tactics, and repellents provides the best results. Persistence is key, as it may take weeks or months to fully train woodpeckers away from your property. Preventive maintenance helps avoid woodpecker damage proactively. In severe cases, calling a professional may be warranted. With an integrated pest management approach, homeowners can find sustainable solutions for a peaceful coexistence with local woodpeckers.
