The Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) is the smallest and most common woodpecker found across North America. While beneficial in natural ecosystems, they become a nuisance when drilling into a home’s siding, eaves, or fascia boards. This activity causes cosmetic and structural damage, potentially leading to insulation compromise and water intrusion. All native woodpeckers, including the Downy Woodpecker, are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). Therefore, all deterrence methods must be humane and non-lethal. The most effective approach combines strategies to safely exclude the bird, address the reasons for its attraction, and deter its return.
Understanding Why Downy Woodpeckers Target Your Home
Identifying the specific motivation behind the pecking is the first step toward effective mitigation, as the bird’s goal determines the type of damage it causes. Downy Woodpeckers are recognizable by their small size, typically measuring about six inches long, with distinctive black and white patterns and a small red patch on the back of the male’s head. They are generally less destructive than their larger relatives, but their persistence can still compromise a structure’s exterior.
One primary reason for pecking is foraging for food, specifically wood-boring insects like carpenter bee larvae or other beetles residing beneath the surface of the siding. This activity typically results in small, irregular clusters of holes that appear shallow as the bird probes for its meal. If the bird is searching for insects, the problem is often localized to an area of the home with underlying insect activity or wood rot.
A second motivation is the excavation of a roosting or nesting cavity, which usually takes place during the late winter or early spring breeding season. Nesting holes are notably larger and more perfectly circular than foraging holes. They are often located in the softer wood of cedar or grooved plywood siding, frequently near the corners of the house. These cavities can penetrate deeply, sometimes going all the way through the exterior and into the insulation.
The third behavior is “drumming,” which is not for feeding or nesting but serves as a form of communication to establish territory and attract a mate. Downy Woodpeckers prefer resonant surfaces for this purpose, and the hollow sound of aluminum flashing, metal vents, or certain types of wood siding makes a home an ideal “drum.” This action rarely causes deep structural damage but is a significant noise disturbance, often occurring early in the morning.
Implementing Physical Exclusion Measures
Physical barriers are considered the most effective and permanent solution for preventing woodpecker damage, as they completely block the bird’s access to the targeted area. The barrier must be installed immediately upon noticing the activity, as woodpeckers are highly persistent once they establish a site. The prompt repair of existing holes is necessary because the visible damage can itself attract other woodpeckers to the location.
The most widely recommended exclusion method involves hanging lightweight, durable bird netting, typically with a 3/4-inch mesh size, from the eaves down to the siding. This netting must be secured tautly and held away from the building surface by a minimum of three inches. Maintaining this offset ensures that the bird cannot simply cling to the mesh and reach the underlying siding with its bill.
For smaller, localized areas of damage, covering the site with a permanent, impenetrable material is a reliable option. Homeowners can use sheet metal flashing, aluminum sheeting, or 1/4-inch hardware cloth to completely obscure the pecked surface. This material can be painted to match the color of the siding, offering a long-term protective shield that effectively prevents the Downy Woodpecker from gaining purchase or drilling further.
Before installing any physical barrier, all existing holes must be patched completely. Use an exterior-grade wood filler, a wood plug, or expanding foam for deep cavities. If the bird has already excavated a nesting hole, it is required to wait until the nest is confirmed empty before sealing the opening to comply with the MBTA. Sealing and painting the damaged area first ensures that the bird is not attracted back to the visual cue of a pre-drilled site.
Using Sensory and Visual Deterrents
When physical exclusion is impractical or needs supplementation, sensory and visual deterrents can be employed to frighten the Downy Woodpecker away from the structure. These methods rely on movement, reflection, and the illusion of a predator to create an inhospitable environment. Deterrents are most effective when applied in combination and moved frequently to prevent the bird from becoming accustomed to their presence.
Highly reflective, holographic material, often sold as flash tape or Mylar strips, is an effective visual deterrent. The movement and unpredictable flashes of light startle the birds. These strips should be cut into several-foot lengths and hung near the damaged area so they can move freely in the breeze. The constant, irregular motion and intense reflection are effective against the woodpecker’s sensitive vision.
Other reflective objects can be hung to achieve a similar effect:
- Old compact discs
- Small mirrors
- Aluminum foil strips
- Reflective pinwheels (useful near resonant spots for drumming)
The effectiveness of these visual devices is directly related to the wind, making them less reliable on still days.
Predatory replicas, like plastic owls or hawk silhouettes, have inconsistent success because woodpeckers quickly learn that stationary objects pose no threat. To maintain the illusion of a threat, these decoys must be relocated to a different spot on the house every few days. More advanced sonic devices that broadcast woodpecker distress calls followed by the calls of a hawk have a variable success rate in scaring birds away from the immediate area.
Addressing Underlying Attractants
Long-term resolution involves preventative maintenance and modifying the immediate environment to reduce the property’s overall appeal to Downy Woodpeckers. If the bird is foraging, the most fundamental step is to eliminate the food source that is attracting it to the siding. This means promptly investigating and treating any underlying insect infestations, particularly those involving carpenter bees, ants, or wood-boring beetle larvae. Professional extermination may be required to fully eradicate the food source and prevent recurrence.
Woodpeckers are often drawn to wood that is soft, decayed, or moisture-damaged because it is easier to excavate and more likely to harbor insects. Addressing sources of moisture, such as leaky gutters or compromised flashing, prevents wood rot and reduces the attraction. Repairing or replacing any soft, damaged, or decayed wood removes an easy target for both nesting and foraging behaviors.
The presence of bird feeders, especially those containing suet, can unintentionally attract woodpeckers to the immediate vicinity of the home. During periods of active pecking, it is advisable to temporarily remove all suet feeders or relocate them far away from the house structure. This removes a reliable, concentrated food source that might otherwise keep the Downy Woodpecker tethered to the property.