The distinctive, rapid tapping of a woodpecker on a home is often the first indication that a structure has become a target. Woodpeckers are not attacking houses randomly but are exhibiting natural behaviors—foraging, seeking shelter, or communicating—that the structure inadvertently facilitates. Understanding these specific attractants is the first step in protecting a home, as the bird’s motivation dictates the type of damage and the likely location on the building. The four main reasons a woodpecker chooses a house range from responding to the presence of food to utilizing the unique acoustic properties of building materials.
Hidden Insect Infestations in Wood
The most common and potentially destructive reason a woodpecker targets a house is the presence of insects living within the wood siding or trim. Woodpeckers are primarily insectivores, and their pecking is a highly effective foraging behavior used to locate and excavate larvae, beetles, and ants. If the pecking results in small, irregular, or scattered holes, the bird is most likely searching for a meal.
Woodpeckers are drawn to homes harboring wood-boring insects. These pests live beneath the surface, where the bird’s specialized hearing detects the faint sounds of larvae. The birds act as an indicator species, suggesting a deeper pest issue that may need professional inspection.
The resulting foraging holes are ragged and inconsistent. Woodpeckers have long, barbed tongues designed to spear or extract hidden grubs. If a homeowner notices persistent, scattered damage, it signals a reliable food source. Removing the underlying insect infestation is the most effective way to eliminate this attractant.
Structural Suitability and Material Choices
Beyond the presence of food, the physical characteristics of a home’s exterior can make it an appealing substitute for a dead or decaying tree. Woodpeckers prefer to excavate nesting or roosting cavities in softer wood because it requires less energy to penetrate. Materials like cedar and redwood siding are especially vulnerable due to their relatively low density, making them easier to chisel.
Deteriorated or moisture-damaged wood is also a strong attractant, as it mimics the softened wood of a natural snag or dead tree. Some house designs feature grooved plywood or reverse board-and-batten siding, creating internal voids and hollow sounds. The woodpecker mistakenly interprets these voids as suitable for nesting. The resulting holes for nesting or roosting are typically larger and perfectly circular, unlike the irregular holes left by foraging.
Even synthetic materials are not immune to damage, as some woodpeckers, particularly flickers, have been known to target stucco or Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS). These materials may offer a hollow space or a soft substrate that the bird can easily excavate for a cavity. Choosing harder, non-wood options like cement board or brick reduces the likelihood of this type of structural damage.
External Food Sources and Sap
External food sources near a home can draw woodpeckers in. Bird feeders, especially those containing suet or seeds, are direct attractants that bring woodpeckers into close proximity to the house. Once feeding nearby, they may investigate the structure for secondary food sources or communication opportunities.
Certain species, such as the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, are drawn to the sugary sap of trees and will target a home if the wood siding resembles tree bark. These birds drill small, evenly spaced rows of shallow holes, usually in a horizontal or diagonal pattern, to access the flowing sap. They consume the sap itself and also eat any small insects that become trapped in the sticky substance.
Additionally, species like the Acorn Woodpecker store food, creating specialized, small holes in wood structures to cache nuts. These food caches are often highly visible, with dozens or even hundreds of acorns jammed into the structure’s wooden surfaces. Nearby fruit or nut-bearing trees further increase the probability of woodpecker activity.
Territorial and Communication Drumming
Woodpeckers use rapid, rhythmic tapping, known as drumming, as a form of non-vocal communication. This behavior serves two primary purposes: announcing territorial boundaries to rivals and attracting a mate during the breeding season. Drumming is most frequent in the spring, but it can also occur in the fall during territorial establishment.
The location a woodpecker chooses for drumming is driven by acoustic quality, as the bird seeks the loudest, most resonant surface possible. Hollow materials or structures that vibrate easily, such as metal flashing, gutters, downspouts, and thin siding, are highly preferred. A house acts as a “super tree” by providing large, highly resonant surfaces that carry the sound over great distances.
The difference between drumming and foraging is noticeable by the sound and pattern; drumming is a fast, consistent burst of sound, while foraging is a slower, more sporadic tapping. The bird is not trying to penetrate the material during drumming, only to generate maximum noise. This acoustic attraction means a woodpecker may choose a surface with no insects simply because it makes the most noise.