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