What are sapsuckers?
Sapsuckers are woodpeckers that drill holes into the bark of trees to feed on the sap that flows out. There are four species of sapsuckers in North America:
- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
- Red-naped Sapsucker
- Red-breasted Sapsucker
- Williamson’s Sapsucker
Of these, the yellow-bellied and red-naped sapsuckers are the most likely to damage ornamental and fruit trees. Sapsuckers drill holes in neat, horizontal rows and feed on the sap as it oozes out. They often return to the same tree day after day to feed. While sapsuckers don’t actually eat the tree bark, the repeated damage can stress the tree, expose it to disease, and attract harmful insects.
Why do sapsuckers damage trees?
Sapsuckers drill holes in tree bark for two main reasons:
- To feed on the sap – Sapsucker’s tongues have tiny brush-like tips that are perfect for lapping up sap. The sap isn’t just sugar water, it contains nutrients like amino acids that sapsuckers rely on.
- To mark their territory – The holes serve as visual cues to other sapsuckers to signal that this tree is already “claimed.”
Sapsuckers often choose stressed or diseased trees because the sap flows more freely than in healthy trees. Damaged or thinner barked trees like birch and maple are also more susceptible.
Fruit trees are frequently targeted as they store more sugar in their sap. Some sapsuckers also feed on the cambium layer (growing tissue) inside the tree bark. Feeding on the cambium can effectively girdle the tree branch or trunk and kill the tree.
Signs of sapsucker damage
Look for these signs to identify sapsucker damage:
- Evenly spaced rows of 1/4-inch holes on tree trunks and branches
- Sap oozing from holes
- Solid sap stalactites or dried sap ridges below holes
- Yellowish stains on bark around holes
- Holes that extend deep into bark and cambium
- Flagging or dying leaves and branches
Sapsucker damage is distinct from other woodpecker holes, which appear more randomly. Woodpecker holes are also larger and more irregularly shaped. Squirrels and insects can cause similar damage by gnawing through bark. Look for neat, evenly spaced rows of smaller holes to positively identify sapsucker damage.
How to prevent sapsucker damage
Here are some tips for protecting trees from sapsuckers:
Wrap trunks
Wrap tree trunks with 1/4 inch hardware cloth, aluminum flashing, burlap or other protective materials. Wrap all the way around the trunk starting from the base and extending up to 6 feet high. This blocks access and physically prevents sapsuckers from drilling into the bark.
Use visual repellents
Hang shiny pie pans, aluminium foil strips, mirrors or wind chimes in trees. These reflective surfaces move in the wind and startle sapsuckers. The flashes of light also deter them from landing on the trunk.
Apply chemical repellents
Apply sticky repellents directly onto the bark. Commercial bird repellent pastes or homemade concoctions like mixing cayenne pepper with petroleum jelly can work. Reapply frequently as repellents wear off quickly.
Keep trees healthy
Sapsuckers target stressed trees more often. Make sure trees get adequate water and nutrients especially during droughts. Prune dead branches, control pests, and take steps to keep trees vigorous. Healthy, thick-barked trees don’t ooze sap as freely.
Protect young trees
Newly planted and young trees are most vulnerable to sapsucker damage. Protect them with plastic spiral guards or wire cages around the trunk until they establish. Remove any guards once the bark toughens in a few years.
Remove nest cavities
Sapsuckers drill nesting cavities in tree trunks, often returning to the same spots year after year. Identify and safely remove any nest holes to prevent reuse. Fill large holes with wood putty.
Scare tactics
Try deterring sapsuckers with scare tactics like hanging fake owls or snakes in trees, or tying balloons with large eyespots. Move prop frequently so birds don’t habituate. A dog or cat patrolling the yard can also help scare birds away.
Use bird netting
Drape lightweight plastic bird netting over susceptible trees to create a protective barrier. Make sure netting doesn’t chafe bark. Remove netting after sapsuckers stop attempts to drill.
Play recordings of predatory bird calls
Strategically place speakers that broadcast hawk and owl cries. The warning calls of potential predators may frighten small birds like sapsuckers away. Just be careful the sounds don’t disturb neighbors!
Remove nesting and roosting spots
Eliminate convenient roosting sites like dead branches close to vulnerable trees. This reduces resting spots for sapsuckers staking out future nest holes.
When to get professional help
If sapsucker damage is severe, consult an arborist. They can assess overall tree health and properly treat wounds. Arborists also have access to professional-strength repellents and can chemically treat trees to mask the sap and make them less appealing targets.
For heavy infestations, trapping may be required to remove problem birds. Nest cavities can also be professionally plugged up. Get help sooner than later, as significant sapsucker damage makes trees susceptible to diseases and can attract beetles.
Repairing sapsucker damage
Here are some tips for repairing existing sapsucker damage:
- Gently scrape away loose, dried sap around holes. Avoid tearing the bark further.
- Disinfect holes by spraying with a 10% bleach solution. Rinse afterwards.
- Fill holes with caulk or wood putty to prevent insects from entering.
- For oozing sap wounds, apply pruning sealant.
- Fertilize stressed trees to aid recovery. Prioritize watering in dry periods.
- Monitor frequently for pest infestations. Remove borers immediately.
- Don’t prune damaged branches unless completely dead. Allow trees to slowly recover.
Proper aftercare improves the tree’s chances of surviving and minimizes rot risk. Keep protecting the tree from additional sapsucker damage. With time and prevention methods, trees can fully recover from sapsucker wounds.
How to humanely remove problem sapsuckers
If a particular sapsucker is causing excessive damage, live removal may be the only recourse. Avoid killing or injuring birds if possible. Here are some humane sapsucker removal methods:
- Locate active nest cavities and legally plug holes once eggs hatch and nestlings fledge.
- Remove roosting sites to encourage sapsuckers to move elsewhere.
- Use cage or box traps baited with suet. Quickly relocate trapped birds at least 5 miles away.
- Hire a permitted wildlife removal professional to live-catch and transport birds.
- Only use lethal traps as an absolute last resort if permitted in your state.
Prevent sapsuckers returning by installing and maintaining deterrents. Focus efforts on making your property an unattractive habitat for sapsuckers year after year. With persistence, problem birds can be safely convinced to live elsewhere.
Benefits of sapsuckers
While sapsuckers can damage trees, they also provide some ecosystem benefits:
- Sapsucker holes create nesting sites for other cavity nesters like owls, wood ducks, and tree swallows.
- Feeding holes create sap wells used by hummingbirds, orioles, butterflies, and bees.
- Decaying wood in old nest holes provide habitat for bats and beneficial insects.
- Sapsuckers eat harmful tree insects like bark beetles and help control populations.
Sapsuckers are also important primary cavity nesters that excavate new homes in trees. About 85 North American bird species rely on abandoned sapsucker holes for nesting. Trying to completely eliminate sapsuckers from an area can negatively impact other wildlife.
Key takeaways
Here are the key tips for protecting trees from sapsucker damage:
- Wrap trunks, apply repellents, and install visual deterrents.
- Keep trees healthy with proper care and watering.
- Protect young trees and eliminate nearby roosts.
- Repair damage by cleaning wounds and sealing holes.
- Humanely remove problematic birds only when necessary.
- Maintain control methods consistently once sapsuckers move on.
While sapsuckers can injure trees with their territorial drilling, a little prevention and quick response goes a long way. Protect valuable trees without harming important native woodpeckers by using a combination of deterrents, excluding access, and monitoring for pest problems.
