We suggest using more than one type at the same time to confuse them and make your home less appealing to them. Woodpeckers prefer coniferous trees, cedar and mahogany, especially if the material has retained its natural properties after being processed. The wood provides an easier material for the birds to drill into, and it is more likely to harbor insects. It is possible to stop woodpeckers from pecking the house if you eliminate them with special products. The main problem with these birds is that they peck holes. There are three primary reasons that these birds will peck on your house or shed. Woodpeckers can be a pain for homeowners; Whether you live in the Okanagan or Florida, these birds have a tendency to peck holes in the sides of buildings. To deter woodpeckers from homes, individuals can use motion-detector sou nd machines placed in areas commonly inhabited by the pests. They include: Foraging for insects; Creating cavities for nesting Woodpeckers are excellent at spotting threats—and dismissing benign ones. The woodpeckers are smart enough to realize that there is no real threat and return after a few days. Create a barrier between the woodpecker and the house. Also, setting up netting at least three inches away from homes can prevent drilling and drumming. Woodpecker prevention starts with eliminating their food source. Woodpeckers are 7 to 15 inches long, have short legs, sharp-clawed toes and stiff tails. Woodpeckers cause property damage by drilling holes in wood and synthetic stucco siding and eaves, and are an annoyance when hammering or “drumming” on houses. Insects may crawl into the holes and infest your house, exacerbating the problem. Insects may crawl into the holes and infest your house, further exacerbating the problem.To repair existing holes, seal each one with smooth application of putty, let dry, then coat with a polyurethane or oil-based paint. These include houses with aluminum siding, as well as the trim boards and fascia boards of any wood, brick, and stucco homes. Preventative Maintenance – If you’re preparing to re-side or re-roof your house, you can help prevent a woodpecker problem by choosing siding or shingles that aren’t made of wood. Bees, termites, and ants are the three most common pests that attract woodpeckers to wooden houses. You will need to place long strips of this tape dangling in front of areas of woodpecker damage. Three Reasons Why Woodpeckers Drill Holes on Houses: Drumming Holes Many siding types are potential instruments for woodpecker drumming behavior. Because most woodpeckers peck homes to reach insects, an insect-free home goes a long way to control this pest. Once one woodpecker drills holes in your home, more will be drawn to the area. Use putty to fill the woodpecker holes as soon as you find them. How To Prevent Woodpeckers From Damaging Your House Posted: Jan 7, 2016. Overall, repairing homes damaged by woodpeckers can get expensive. Control damage by preventive construction, scare devices and exclusion. Woodpeckers can be a real nuisance for many homeowners. Netting is one of the most effective methods of excluding woodpeckers. If scare tactics don't work, create a physical barrier by screening the drumming site with hardware cloth, sheet metal, or nylon bird netting. If your house has a wooden siding with small round holes, it is likely infested with the carpenter bees. Once a woodpecker drills holes in your home, more of them will likely be drawn to the area. Reflective “scare” tape has a better track record than most other woodpecker deterrents. 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