Woodpeckers prefer to peck soft siding material such as cedar, redwood and stucco. Luckily, repairing woodpecker damage is a very simple and straightforward process – providing you follow it up with preventative steps so that it is woodpecker proof for the future.
Damage caused by Woodpeckers
But move on they must, as woodpeckers are incredibly destructive, drilling 5 or 6 holes at a time in a horizontal line and creating no end of noise when tapping against metal or wood. They can often be seen drumming on drainpipes, chimney caps, poles and gutters and can strip your trees of not only insects and sap but the fruit that it grows.
How to treat Woodpecker damage?
Once the woodpeckers have been safely removed from your property, then should start to repair the holes immediately. The easiest way of doing this is to: –
- Chisel or cut a hole around the damaged area
Depending on the size of the damaged hole, you should enlarge the inside using a chisel or saw, so that the back side is larger than the opening. It doesn’t matter what shape you create; you just want to ensure that your repairs do not pop out of the siding. Make sure that you remove any insects and rotting wood before proceeding.
- Fill the holes
Place putty filler inside the hole and ensure that you completely cover the opening. If the hole is significant you may want to use a foam sealant instead in order to make sure that it remains watertight. Pick a sunny day so that the sealant has plenty of time to dry out.
- Sand down the filler
Make sure that you file down the filler so that it has an even level against the undamaged wood. To the naked eye, you want the patched up hole to be barely visible. If you have a larger hole, you will need to cut out a piece of wood (plywood or lumber is recommended) and ensure that it is slightly smaller than the hole itself in order to plug the gap. Use wood filler to place the patch into the hole and seal around the edges.
- Paint the hole
Having cleared away any leftover dust, decorate the hole so that it blends in naturally to match the surroundings.
How to prevent future Woodpecker damage
As mentioned above, it is pointless patching up woodpecker holes, if you have not remedied the cause. If you enjoy having birds visit your backyard and are looking to divert the nuisance woodpeckers to other areas around your property, then we would recommend:
- Tree removal
Removing any large trees and pruning back branches near to the house will help discourage woodpeckers to peck as they will feel more exposed and vulnerable when out in the open.
- Woodpecker feeders
Rather than waiting for woodpeckers to find food for themselves, why not provide them with a bird feeder. Mealworms, peanuts, nectar, suet and even fruit jelly are tempting treats for woodpeckers. Just be sure to monitor your feeder regularly in case it starts to attract other pest animals such as rats and squirrels.
- Woodpecker nests
Just like the feeder, if you provide a woodpecker with a readymade nest, then it negates the need to build one. In order to make it an appealing option, place the woodpecker house close to the vicinity where previous pecking has occurred.
How to deter Woodpeckers for good
If, however, you are looking to get rid of woodpeckers from your property, then you will need to encourage them to take up permanent residency elsewhere. Here are some techniques that you can employ in order to deter woodpeckers for good.
- Eliminate insect infestations
Although woodpeckers drill holes for a variety of reasons, they are more likely to do so if there is a ready made food source available. Ants, bees and other insects need to be removed through insecticides or traps as this will encourage the woodpecker to look for food elsewhere.
- Bird spikes and netting
Although bird spikes will not stop them from creating holes, it will prevent them from finding a place to sit and rest.
- Visual deterrents
Shiny or reflective objects moving in the breeze can give the impression of predator eyes. This will make a woodpecker feel uneasy and they are more likely to remove themselves so that they are out of danger. Try hanging aluminium foil, CDs, reflective tape, balloons or brightly coloured paper to see if it has the desired effect.
- Sprinklers and lights
This can be incredibly effective at night when the motion sensors pick up the woodpeckers in flight and assault them with light or water.
- Expert advice
If the problem is starting to get out hand and you are unable to keep up with the hole plugging, then we suggest that you seek professional advice from a wildlife control expert.
