Woodpeckers can become a nuisance when they target wooden structures, utility poles, or even trees near homes, causing structural damage and making loud noises. Finding a solution requires using natural, humane, and non-lethal methods because woodpeckers are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). The MBTA prohibits the capture, killing, or harassment of these native birds, meaning any effective strategy must focus on safe deterrence. Homeowners must employ methods that discourage the birds from staying without violating federal law.
Identifying the Cause of Woodpecker Activity
Determining why a woodpecker is pecking a structure is the first step toward effective and targeted deterrence, as the solution depends entirely on the bird’s motivation. Woodpeckers engage in three primary types of activity: feeding, nesting or roosting, and drumming. Each activity leaves a distinct sign.
Woodpeckers often peck to find food, creating small, irregular foraging holes as they search for wood-boring insects like carpenter bees or beetles. This activity usually indicates an underlying insect infestation within the wood or siding. If the bird is creating a single, large, deep, and smoothly rounded hole, it is likely excavating a nesting or roosting cavity, which typically occurs in the late winter or early spring.
The third activity, known as drumming, is a rhythmic, rapid pecking on a resonant surface for communication. Woodpeckers use drumming to attract a mate or declare territory, often choosing metal gutters or hollow siding to amplify the sound. Drumming is a seasonal behavior, peaking during the spring mating season, and is distinct from the slower pecking used for feeding.
Implementing Non-Harmful Deterrents
Immediate, non-harmful deterrents rely on startling the bird or making the targeted area unappealing through visual, auditory, or taste-based methods. Woodpeckers are easily startled by sudden changes in their environment, making reflective objects a popular first-line defense. Hanging reflective materials such as Mylar tape, old CDs, or small mirrors near the damaged area creates flashing light and movement that can confuse and repel the birds. The movement of these objects in the wind is effective at maintaining the deterrent effect.
Predator decoys, such as plastic owls or hawks, can also be employed to scare the birds away. However, woodpeckers can quickly become accustomed to stationary objects, so these decoys must be moved frequently, ideally every few days, to retain their effectiveness. Simply clapping your hands or spraying the bird with a jet of water from a garden hose when they are first observed is a direct and effective way to frighten them away.
Certain non-toxic taste and smell repellents can make a surface undesirable for pecking. Repellents containing capsaicin can be applied to siding or wood. While birds do not feel the burning sensation like mammals, the strong taste and smell can still be irritating. Other natural, pungent scents like peppermint oil, garlic, or citronella, when sprayed on affected areas, can also discourage activity. These liquid repellents must be reapplied regularly, especially after rain, to maintain a consistent deterring effect.
Long-Term Exclusion and Property Protection
Structural solutions and habitat modification offer the most reliable long-term protection against recurring woodpecker damage. The most effective method involves installing physical barriers, such as lightweight plastic bird netting, to deny the bird access to the affected surface. The netting, typically a three-quarter inch mesh, should be installed tautly from the eaves and positioned at least three inches away from the siding. This distance prevents the woodpecker from being able to brace itself against the house and peck through the mesh.
Addressing existing damage immediately is an important part of the exclusion strategy. Any holes already created must be patched using wood putty, caulk, or mesh to discourage the bird from returning to the same spot. It is necessary to confirm that no birds are inside the cavity before sealing it, particularly if the hole is a large nesting or roosting site. Painting or covering vulnerable areas like eaves or fascia boards with aluminum flashing or quarter-inch hardware cloth can also provide a permanent, non-wood surface barrier.
A thorough approach to property protection involves removing the primary attraction for foraging birds, which is the food source. If small, irregular pecking marks indicate feeding behavior, a property inspection for insect infestations like carpenter ants or wood-boring beetles is warranted. Eliminating the insect population through professional treatment removes the incentive for the woodpeckers to target the structure. Furthermore, minimizing dead or decaying trees near the home reduces potential nesting sites and food sources, encouraging the birds to seek more natural, distant habitats.