Learn why woodpeckers hammer, and how to make them stop doing it on your house.
You hear them first, and then come out to inspect your home and see little holes in horizontal rows on your siding (larger holes are indicative of a bigger problem - woodpeckers trying to create a nesting site).
Woodpeckers can be attracted to houses for various reasons, including searching for insects, drumming to establish territory, or excavating nesting sites. To deter woodpeckers from hammering on your house, you can try the following methods:
- Visual Deterrents: Hang shiny objects such as reflective tape, aluminum foil strips, or CDs near the areas where woodpeckers are active. The movement and reflection of light may scare them away.
- Scare Tactics: Install scare devices such as predator decoys (plastic owls or hawks), motion-activated sprinklers, or noise-making devices near the areas where woodpeckers are causing damage. These tactics startle woodpeckers and discourage them from returning.
- Physical Barriers: This is considered one of the most effective deterrents. Cover the affected areas of your house with lightweight, flexible netting or mesh, such as bird netting or hardware cloth, to prevent woodpeckers from accessing the surface to peck.
- Repellents: Apply taste or scent repellents to the areas where woodpeckers are active. Commercial repellents or homemade solutions made with ingredients like hot peppers, garlic, or vinegar can deter woodpeckers by creating an unpleasant taste or smell.
- Habitat Modification: Make your property less attractive to woodpeckers by removing dead or infested trees, trimming overhanging branches, and sealing any gaps or holes in your house where insects may be present.
- Provide Alternative Roosting Sites: Install birdhouses or nest boxes in your yard to provide alternative nesting sites for woodpeckers. Placing these structures away from your house may encourage woodpeckers to choose them over your siding or trim.
- Legal Protections: In some areas, woodpeckers are protected by federal or state laws, so it's important to check local regulations before taking any actions that may harm or disturb them.
It may take some trial and error to find the most effective method for deterring woodpeckers from hammering on your house. Combining multiple strategies and being persistent in your efforts will increase your chances of success in keeping woodpeckers away from your property.
Why do woodpeckers like to hammer on houses? This article from CornellLab explains, and provides additional ideas for keeping them away.