How to Get Rid of Woodpeckers: Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners
Woodpeckers are fascinating animals to watch, thanks to their distinctive drumming sound and stunning plumage. But, if these birds choose to turn your house or the garden their playground their constant pecking could cause serious damage. If you’ve observed the woodpecker doing destruction to your home, it’s time to act.
However, how do remove woodpeckers without hurting them, especially since they are protected under laws? In this thorough guide, we’ll explore the reason why woodpeckers sing and what draws the birds to your yard, as well as offer methods that are humane and effective to discourage woodpeckers.
Why Do Woodpeckers Peck Wood?
Before we begin to explore the options available, it’s important to know why woodpeckers scratch at all in the first place. Knowing the reasons behind their behavior can aid you in choosing the most effective method of eliminating woodpeckers.
Feeding Habits
Woodpeckers pounce mainly to search for food. They are attracted by insects, like beetles, ants, and termites that they spot under the tree’s bark. Indeed their pecking is vital to locate these insects, and is vital to their survival.
Woodpeckers may also scratch at decaying or dead trees as these areas are often home to plenty of insects. If there are dead wood or trees close to your house, it could be a huge draw for woodpeckers.
Creating Nests
In the breeding season, woodpeckers make holes in trees or other wood structures. The pecking process is used to construct nests, which provide a secure location for eggs and the future chicks. If you notice the woodpecker pecking an region repeatedly, it may be attempting to create an ideal nesting spot.
Marking Territory
Woodpeckers also peck to identify their territories. This behaviour is most prevalent during mating seasons. The sound that they produce from pecking is heard throughout the woods and allows the woodpeckers to talk with each other as well as alert potential invaders.
What Attracts Woodpeckers to Your Property?
Before figuring out how to stop woodpeckers, you must know what draws them towards your property. Once you understand what they’re looking for then you can make steps to remove those aspects.
Dead Trees and Stumps
Woodpeckers love dead wood and stumps. These woody sources that are decaying are habitat for a variety of insects which is their main food source. If you have old, decaying stumps or trees within your backyard, it may be an ideal location for woodpeckers.
Wooden Structures
Woodpeckers are frequently attracted by sheds, homes and other wooden structures due to the fact that it is the perfect substrate to create nests and drums. Particularly, wood siding is susceptible to damage from woodpeckers since it is an ideal base for their pecking.
Food Sources
If there are birdfeeders set up in your backyard You could be accidentally attracting woodpeckers. Woodpeckers are drawn to feeders with nuts, suet or seeds. While they are an excellent addition to the ecosystem of your garden but they can also become an attraction for woodpeckers.
Natural Habitats Nearby
If your home is located near the wooded areas or a forest it is more likely to come across woodpeckers. They are more likely to be in natural wooded areas and are able to get numerous food sources as well as places to nest.
Do you know how to Stop Woodpeckers from Pecking Your House
If you’re already seeing woodpeckers causing damage to your house or property, you need to take action quickly. The longer they’re left longer, the more damage they could cause. Here are some of the most effective humane methods for getting rid of woodpeckers, and to stop their return.
Repair Existing Damage
Woodpeckers are much more likely to take advantage of areas that are damaged or are displaying indications of insect damage. Begin by fixing any cracks, holes, or soiled spots on the exterior of your house. After the repairs are done You can then use other strategies to deter the birds aren’t able to return.
Use Bird Netting or Hardware Cloth
An effective method to keep woodpeckers out is to protect the areas that are vulnerable with bird netting and hardware cloth. This is particularly beneficial for soffits, eaves and the areas near doors or windows in which woodpeckers are known to peck.
Be sure that the netting is in good shape that it extends for at least three inches away from the surface in order to stop the woodpecker from entering the space. If you spot cracks in your netting repair them immediately.
Install Bird Spikes
The bird spike is a safe method to stop woodpeckers from landing and pecking specific surfaces. They are designed to create a uncomfortable area for birds to land on and force them to look for different places. Put them in places like rooftop edges and ledges as well as around windows.
Shiny Materials and Visual Deterrents
Woodpeckers are attracted by reflective and shiny materials. You can make aluminum foil, reflective strips and even discs of CD hung from your house’s exterior to deter birds. They reflect light and create a space that for woodpeckers to feel uncomfortable.
In addition, putting predator decoys such as an owl or hawk can be very effective. Make sure you rotate the decoy frequently since woodpeckers could be accustomed to the same spot.
Noise and Motion Deterrents
Woodpeckers are shy birds and are easily scared off by loud sounds and abrupt movement. To deter them from your home, think about the use of wind chillers, aluminum pie pans and motion activated sprinklers. These deterrents create a frightful environment that discourages the woodpecker from lingering around.
Another alternative is to play recorded predator calls, for example the hawk or owl sounds. It creates an impression danger for the woodpecker which can cause it to flee.
Remove Food Sources
Woodpeckers are frequently attracted to feeders for birds, particularly ones with suet or seeds, such as nuts or suet. If you’re looking to discourage woodpeckers, take down these feeders during breeding season. Alternately, you could install specialized feeders that permit only smaller birds to eat in order to prevent woodpeckers from getting access to these feeders.
How to Stop Woodpeckers from returning
If you’ve taken measures to prevent woodpeckers from causing damage to the property you live in, it’s crucial to keep the birds from returning. Here are a few steps you can take to safeguard your home
Keep Trees Well-Maintained
Make sure that the trees you have in the yard you have are in good health and not suffering of insects. If you find decaying or dead trees, think about removing them or treatment to make them less appealing to woodpeckers.
Use Woodpecker Repellent Sprays
There are woodpecker repellent commercial sprays that can be applied to areas that are susceptible to being damaged. The sprays function by removing the appeal of the surface to the woodpecker. However, they are safe to use in the home.
Install Motion-Sensing Lights
Motion-sensing lighting can be efficient in keeping woodpeckers out. The lights are automatically turned on when they detect movement that can startle birds, make them feel uncomfortable. This method is particularly effective at night, when woodpeckers aren’t as active.
Are Woodpeckers Protected by Law?
Woodpeckers are protected under laws in a variety of areas. In the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 provides protection to all migratory birds across North America, including woodpeckers. It is therefore unlawful to hurt or kill woodpeckers, their nests or eggs.
If you notice that the problem with your woodpecker is serious and the previous measures haven’t been effective, it’s vital to reach out to your local wildlife services for help. They will be able to provide advice on how you can legally deal with the situation.
When to Call a Professional
Although the strategies described above can be efficient, certain situations might require the intervention of a professional. If the woodpecker has caused significant destruction to your property or you’re not sure what to do about the suggested options, it could be the time to speak with a pest expert. You should ensure that the person you choose is familiar with local wildlife laws so that the process is safe and legally legal.
Conclusion
Woodpeckers are a delight to be around in nature but they can quickly turn into annoying when they begin attacking your home or in your garden. There are a variety of efficient and humane ways to stop them. If you understand the reasons woodpeckers scratch and taking the proper steps to deal with the issue, you’ll be able to ensure your property is protected while taking care of these fascinating animals.
If you decide to employ bird nets, shiny objects noise barriers, or even seek advice from a professional, the most important thing to success is a prompt intervention. With these methods that will stop woodpeckers from entering your home and avoid any more damage to your home.