Woodpecker deterrents are methods or devices used to discourage these birds from damaging human structures, such as the siding and trim of homes. Woodpeckers use their powerful bills for repetitive drilling, which can result in significant structural damage, leaving small foraging holes or large nesting cavities. Effective deterrence requires a strategic approach that addresses the bird’s specific behavior while remaining humane and compliant with wildlife protection laws. The goal is to make the affected area unappealing or physically inaccessible, encouraging the birds to find more suitable natural locations.
Understanding Why Woodpeckers Drill
The activity of a woodpecker on a home is driven by three primary biological motivations: foraging, drumming, or nesting. Foraging involves drilling small, irregular holes, often indicating the birds are seeking insects, such as wood-boring beetle larvae or carpenter bees, that may be infesting the wood or insulation beneath the surface. This behavior acts as a secondary sign of a potential underlying pest problem that should be addressed directly.
Drumming is a non-destructive, high-speed pecking that the birds perform on resonant materials, like metal gutters or thin wood siding, to communicate. This behavior is primarily used for territorial defense or to attract a mate, often occurring most frequently during the early spring breeding season. Nesting involves excavating larger, deeper, and more circular holes for creating a cavity, which provides shelter for raising young or for protection during cold weather. Identifying the type of damage helps determine the most appropriate deterrent strategy.
Visual and Auditory Scare Tactics
Scare tactics utilize the woodpecker’s natural wariness, aiming to create an environment that appears unsafe or threatening. Reflective materials, such as strips of Mylar tape, metallic streamers, or old compact discs, are common visual deterrents. The movement and flashing light produced by these objects can confuse and momentarily deter the birds. However, the efficacy of visual deterrents is often limited because woodpeckers may quickly habituate to static, non-moving threats.
Decoy predators, like plastic owls or rubber snakes, can be employed, but they must be moved frequently, ideally every few days, to maintain the illusion of a live threat. A stationary decoy will quickly be recognized as harmless. Auditory devices, including ultrasonic emitters, are generally ineffective because their high-frequency sound waves do not reliably frighten the birds. Playing recorded distress calls can offer a temporary solution if used immediately and consistently upon the bird’s arrival.
Physical Barriers and Exclusion
Physical exclusion is typically the most reliable and effective long-term method for deterring woodpeckers, as it completely denies them access to the damaged area. Fine-mesh bird netting, made of durable, UV-protected polypropylene with a mesh size of about three-quarters of an inch, is a preferred solution. The netting must be installed tautly and positioned at least three inches away from the structure’s surface to prevent the birds from reaching the siding through the mesh.
This barrier is usually secured from the eaves and allowed to drape down the wall, often held in place with weights or secured at the base to maintain the necessary separation from the building. Before installing any barrier, all existing holes must be repaired using wood putty or mesh to remove the visual cue and potential nesting spot that initially attracted the bird. For smaller, isolated areas, sheet metal or hardware cloth can be securely fastened over the damaged spot to create an impenetrable shield.
Legal Considerations for Woodpecker Deterrence
Nearly all native woodpecker species in the United States are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). This legislation makes it illegal to harm, trap, or kill the birds, or to destroy their active nests or eggs without a specific federal permit. Consequently, all deterrence efforts must be humane and non-lethal, focusing on exclusion and redirection.
Interfering with an active nest is against the law, so if a large cavity is present, it may be necessary to wait until the young have fledged before implementing physical exclusion methods. A long-term, legally sound strategy involves addressing the underlying issue of insect infestation by treating the wood to eliminate the woodpecker’s food source. In cases of extreme and persistent damage where non-lethal methods have failed, a depredation permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may be considered, though these are rarely granted to individual homeowners.