How do I stop woodpeckers?

Question

I have cedar siding and a woodpecker comes every year at this time. How do I stop it?

Answer 1

All Woodpeckers are protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and control methods must not harm the birds.

The most effective control method is 3/4” StealthNet bird netting.Bird net is extremely durable and can be installed in a semi-permanent configuration until nesting behavior has been permanently modified.

http://www.birdbusters.com/woodpecker_control.html

Answer 2

This is what the US Fish and Wildlife Service recommends:

How to Prevent Damage by Woodpeckers
Insect control
1) Destroy insect nests with a long thin instrument, such as a stiff wire, before woodpeckers discover it.

2) Control the insects using the appropriate pesticide, then seal the openings and holes to prevent re-infestation.

3 ) Prevent insect nesting - plug the exposed voids in the grooves of the veneer cores to eliminate nesting sites. These entrance holes must be filled before the bees build their nest. If the holes are plugged after the nest is made, the bees will chew their way out or the woodpeckers will seek out the larvae. Plug Woodpecker Holes

On Wood
After you have controlled the insects, patch the hole with an exterior patching compound stained to match the plywood finish.

On siding under eaves
Install a lightweight nylon or plastic mesh between the eaves and the damaged area, leaving at least 3 inches between the net and the damaged area.

On Siding
1) Install metal sheathing (aluminum flashing) over the pecked area as soon as damage begins.

2)Install quarter inch wire mesh (hardware cloth) over the damaged area, preferably raised 1 inch away from the siding.

3)Replace wood siding with aluminum, steel or vinyl.

On trees
Loosely wrap hardware cloth, plastic, or burlap around the holes. In orchards or forests, allow sapsuckers to attack one tree, since they will attack others if they are repelled from their favorite one.

Repellents
Use as soon as the problem is identified, since woodpeckers are not easily driven away once they have establish their territory.

1) Visual - model owls, snake decoys and owl silhouettes are mostly ineffective. Toy plastic twirlers, windmills, flashing mirrors and aluminum pie pans can be used with limited success.

2) Sound - repeatedly frightening the bird with sudden loud noises, such as banging on a garbage can lid, hand clapping or a toy cap pistol may keep them away.

3) Sticky substances - sticky repellents such as Roost-No-More can be smeared onto tree trunks, wood siding, etc. The birds dislike the tacky footing. Since some of the repellents will discolor wood, apply it to pressed board and then fasten it to the damaged area.

4) Water from a hose.

http://www.fws.gov/nevada/nv_species/urban_wildlife/woodpecker.htm

Answer 3

You don't, what you do is stop the insect that is destroying your cedar shingles, and the wood pecker that i9s helping to save your house will have nothing to eat and go looking for food elsewhere.
Woodpeckers do not peck wood! They peck the destructive insects living inside the wood!

Answer 4

You might try an owl decoy. Sporting good stores sell them.

Answer 5

decor owl works , also you can try like a loud sound keep doing it we have wood peckers here and thatas what we do ,

Answer 6

I second the bb gun, you could put more than one in the chamber if you're not a great shot. Or you could use a pellet in it - just don't pump it much.... ouch for the bird!

Answer 7

a bb gun will do the trick