Woodpeckers are known for their relentless pecking of wood and buildings. But, eventually, they are not your enemy! They’re just doing what they need to do, and it’s up to us how we handle these interesting creatures.
Woodpeckers are common in gardens and trees, but if you live in an area where they’re a problem, you may need help figuring out what to do. Here are three main reasons why woodpeckers hammer on your property:
- They produce drumming sounds to communicate their availability and monitor female acceptance of them as mates.
- Woodpeckers also excavate nests or roost holes in trees to sleep in at night.
- Search for food by tapping into trees with their beaks, which helps them find insects hiding inside crevices.
This blog post will teach effective ways to repel woodpeckers from your property.
Woodpeckers are a common bird in North America but aren’t always welcome. It is good to have them around as they provide many benefits, but there are also downsides to having them around as well.
Read on to explore how these invasive birds can pose a threat to your property.
Is It Good To Have Woodpeckers Around?
Some people consider woodpeckers to be interesting and beneficial animals. They are native to North America, and their distinctive call is often heard in forests.
Unfortunately, some species of woodpeckers are declining due to habitat loss, so having them around may signify that your property provides good habitat for them.
However, woodpeckers can be a nuisance, especially if they’re nesting in or near your home. Not only can they make a lot of noise, but they can cause serious damage to your property.
They can also damage buildings by pecking at the wood or bricks. In some cases, woodpeckers have been known to cause power outages by pecking electrical wires.
In addition, they are considered one of the most harmful birds to trees. The force of their pecks can break through the bark of a tree, leaving it vulnerable to disease and pests.
Woodpeckers can also create building holes, leading to water damage and other problems.
As woodpeckers are known to eat insects, having an infestation of pests can attract them to your property and cause considerable damage. Thus, if you have woodpeckers around, it’s important to take steps to deter them.
In ancient cultures, the woodpecker was frequently associated with the following:
- Good luck
- Prosperity
- Power of the spirit
People who saw a woodpecker in ancient Greece were said to have received favorable winds in their sails.
According to Roman methodology, the woodpecker was a Latin king named Picus who was transformed into a bird by Circe.
10 Ways To Keep Woodpeckers Away From Your Property
Woodpecker prevention does not have to be difficult or intrusive; with the right steps, anyone can protect their property from woodpecker damage. There are several ways you can keep woodpeckers away from your property. Here are a few of them:
1. Install Bird Spikes
Bird spikes are the most effective way to keep woodpeckers away from your property. They are designed to prevent woodpeckers from roosting in your trees and other structures, making it much more difficult for them to find food sources.
Plus, these objects are usually made out of metal or plastic, and they have small holes in them. Hence, installing bird spikes or wires will help you block the birds from physically landing on your land.
2. Place Nets Around Trees
Nets also work as visual deterrents to prevent woodpeckers from invading your property.
You can use bird netting or wire mesh to block access to any areas where woodpeckers might be able to cause damage, such as windows, doors, or vents.
In addition, the net will trap any birds that try to fly into it, preventing them from extracting wood from the tree.
3. Noisemakers
Woodpeckers are afraid of loud noises, so if you can find a way to make loud noises in your home or yard, this will work.
Auditory deterrents emit a loud noise when the bird lands on the surface, which will startle and scare them away.
For example, playing music loudly or having a dog barking will keep them away. Besides, commercial products, such as Bird Chase Super Sonic devices, are now available in the market that emits sounds.
4. Eliminate the Food Source
Removing any potential food sources near your home makes it harder for woodpeckers to find food within walking distance of your property.
For example, remove all fruit trees from within 100 yards of your home and place a fence around them, so they’re not accessible by winged creatures.
5. Pepper Spray
Pepper spray works by causing an immediate reaction in an animal’s brain when spraying with it.
It works by causing an intense burning sensation that makes it difficult for animals to move around in their current location. Eventually, this will scare off any woodpeckers around your property!
6. Highly Reflective Surfaces
Woodpeckers are wary of bright lights because they think they could be on fire or in danger!
The best way to keep them away from your house is by installing reflective glass on all windows and mirrors inside your home or yard, as it will discourage them from landing.
However, some people prefer installing reflective objects temporarily, like Mylar balloons.
7. Irritating Smell Pouches
You can also use smell-repellant pouches to keep woodpeckers away, such as Avian block bird repellant. These pouches contain strong smells, like grape aroma, that woodpeckers find unpleasant and will stay away.
8. Repelling Paint
Another option is to purchase Woodpecker Deterrent Paint such as Beakguard woodpecker deterrent. The paint contains a bittering agent that makes the surface unpalatable to the bird, causing it to avoid the area altogether.
Also, the paint makes it difficult for woodpeckers to grip onto surfaces.
9. Woodpecker Deterrent Kit
A woodpecker deterrent kit uses visual cues to startle the woodpeckers and discourage them from returning.
Bird B Gone Woodpecker Deterrent Kit is one of the best solutions. It contains a yellow scare eye balloon, a roll of red flash tape, and large and small mounting brackets.
10. Owl Decoys Boxes
Woodpeckers are typically afraid of owls, so having these boxes nearby will make them less likely to approach your house. Owl decoys are typically made of plastic or metal and come in various shapes and sizes.
They are painted to match the color and pattern of a real owl. Owl decoys are typically placed near entrances or openings in trees and around windows and doors where birds might perch.
There are many signs of woodpecker presence in your yard, but the most obvious are:
- Dead trees
- Multiple holes in trees
- Sawdust on the ground
Woodpeckers can cause serious damage to trees, sometimes slowing them down and damaging their ability to regrow. They may also eat the bark from the tree’s trunk or branches, which can lead to rot or fungi.
The Bottom-Line
Following these ten tips for keeping woodpeckers at bay, you can help keep your home safe from their pecking and noise. While this may seem daunting, it is worth the effort because it will save you time and money in the long run.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Possible To Repel Woodpeckers by Using Onions?
Yes, it is possible to repel woodpeckers using onions. Onions contain a compound called syn-propanethial-S-oxide (or just S-oxide), making them smell like rotten meat.
This scent is strong enough to deter other woodpeckers and animals from approaching your property.
What To Do if All the Prevention Methods Fail?
If you’ve tried all the prevention methods, and your woodpecker is still pecking at your property, it’s time to call in a professional.
Woodpeckers are very territorial and will often return to the same spot year after year.
The best thing to do is go with a pest removal company or an exterminator who repels birds. They’ll have the tools, knowledge, and experience to resolve your problem quickly.
