When a woodpecker begins pecking at your home, the sound can be alarming. While natural for woodpeckers, this behavior often concerns homeowners due to potential property damage. Understanding why these birds target houses is key to addressing the issue.
Reasons for Woodpecker Pecking
Woodpeckers engage in pecking behavior for several reasons, primarily foraging for food. They may be searching for insects such as carpenter bee larvae, leafcutter bees, grass bagworms, termites, or wood-boring beetles that reside within a home’s siding. The vibrations created by their pecking help them locate these hidden food sources. The presence of small, irregular holes clustered together often indicates that a woodpecker is actively foraging.
Another common reason is territorial drumming, which is distinct from foraging. Woodpeckers use rhythmic pecking on resonant surfaces to communicate their presence, attract mates, or establish their territory. They frequently select areas like wooden shingles, cedar siding, metal gutters, or chimneys, as these surfaces amplify the sound. This drumming behavior is typically a rapid series of taps, most often observed in late winter or early spring.
Woodpeckers also excavate holes to create nesting or roosting sites. These cavities provide shelter and a place to raise their young, usually in softer wood or insulation. Such holes tend to be larger and more smoothly rounded compared to foraging holes. Nesting activity commonly occurs in the early spring, around late April to May.
Additionally, some species, like the acorn woodpecker, create numerous holes in structures to store food. These birds, primarily found in western regions, will cache individual acorns within these drilled holes.
Understanding Potential Home Damage
Woodpecker activity can lead to various forms of damage to a house’s exterior. The most visible impact includes holes in siding materials such as wood, stucco, and EIFS, as well as damage to trim boards, eaves, and fascia. These perforations can compromise insulation within the walls.
Holes created by woodpeckers can increase a home’s vulnerability to moisture intrusion. This can lead to wood rot and mold growth over time. Furthermore, these openings can serve as entry points for other pests, exacerbating existing problems.
While some initial pecking may seem minor, repeated activity can result in significant structural and aesthetic damage. Certain siding types, including grooved plywood, cedar, and wood with earthy stains, are more susceptible to woodpecker damage than others.
Practical Prevention and Solutions
Deterring woodpeckers from pecking at your home involves humane and effective strategies. Visual deterrents like reflective tape, Mylar balloons, spinning devices, and holographic deterrents can scare birds away. For sustained effectiveness, vary their placement regularly. Auditory deterrents, such as wind chimes or electronic noisemakers mimicking distress calls, may also be employed, though birds can habituate to them.
Physical barriers offer a reliable solution to prevent direct access to surfaces. Bird netting or hardware cloth, installed tautly at least three inches away from the siding, creates an effective barrier. Burlap can also be used as a temporary covering for affected areas.
Addressing underlying reasons for pecking, such as insect infestations, is important. If woodpeckers are foraging for food, professional pest control may be necessary to eliminate the insect population attracting them. Removing dead trees or decaying wood from the immediate vicinity of your home can also reduce attraction. Promptly repairing any existing holes with wood putty and painting them helps deter further activity, as woodpeckers are less likely to return to a repaired site. Before sealing any holes, ensure no birds are currently nesting inside.
Most woodpecker species are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which prohibits their lethal removal without a permit. Therefore, all prevention and control methods must be humane and non-lethal. Sticky repellents, for example, should be avoided as they can fatally injure or trap birds and other animals.
When Professional Help is Needed
Professional assistance may be necessary to manage a woodpecker problem. If initial do-it-yourself deterrents and repair efforts prove ineffective, a wildlife control service or pest control expert may be required. When home damage is extensive or compromises structural integrity, professional contractors are best equipped to handle repairs.
If the homeowner cannot determine the reason for persistent pecking, a professional can assess the situation and identify the underlying cause. Significant insect infestations attracting woodpeckers, such as large carpenter bee colonies, often require professional extermination. If accessing damaged areas for repair or deterrent installation poses safety risks, engaging professionals is the safest course of action. Permits for lethal removal are rarely granted and only considered after all non-lethal options have been exhausted and severe structural damage is documented.