Woodpecker Management

Have You Ever Heard A Woodpecker At Work

If you live in the woods, you are prone to all sorts of wildlife passing by your home. Insects are looking for warm places to hibernate. If it were not for the cold weather, the insects in your area would overpopulate.

The woodpecker, found in the Eastern and Midwestern United States, does not nest during the winter months. Looking for insects is a difficult task.  Their search sometimes drives them to the siding of homes, where they sense heat. Whether Winter or Summer, they can attack with disturbing pecks causing damage to your home. Preserve your home while still protecting the safety of these unique creatures. Woodpecker damage not only can rack up expenses (starting around $300) but allows heat to leak from your home in the winter months. Animals are also attracted to heat this time of year. 

Woodpecker Management

If the pecking continues, here are some humane ways to keep a woodpecker at bay:

• For hungry woodpeckers, bird feeders and birdhouses with seeds can leave them a little reason to avoid your home. Giving back is the best way to get peace of mind. 
• Some woodpeckers have their sights set on your home. Use smells, sounds, and statues that are unpleasant to these pecking birds. Peppermint oil, garlic, and other repelling scents deter these birds. Search for a natural product online that has good ratings. 
• Statues of woodpecker predators are visual deterrents that may scare them away. Decoy eagles, foxes, and owls prove effective. Just remember to move them around every so often. 
• Search online stores for highly-rated sound recordings for chasing away woodpeckers. Solar-powered auditory deterrents are specifically for scaring away woodpeckers with minimal distress. 

When all else fails:

• Keep your cool and put your guns away. Woodpeckers fall under the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Shooting these birds is illegal. 
• There are licensed pest control companies that humanely trap and release woodpeckers legally. Speak with pest control companies that offer humane release. 
• Build a barrier between the woods and your home. Using a mesh 3/4-inch spaced net is a safe way to deter woodpeckers from your home. Remember to check for tears and captured animals.
• If you believe an animal is in danger, call local wildlife services to prevent death or injury. Keep an eye on your pets to ensure their safety.

Woodpeckers can be a nuisance. Prevention is the best way to keep these bright, bouncy birds away from your home. Planting fruit-bearing plants may distract them as well as installing mirrors. These animals are vulnerable to humans and have no understanding that we are nesting in their natural habitat. Respect the Wilderness and protect your home with these recommendations or call your local wildlife foundation for more tips and services. 

*In the United States, it is illegal and dangerous to shoot, poison, capture, or harm migratory birds. Atlantic Foundation does not guarantee any of these methods will keep animals away from your home and does accept liability for your practice concerning pest control. We are not licensed in pest control and only speak from research and the experience of an anonymous pest control professional. We do not guarantee your safety or your pet’s safety when practicing the recommended methods. Atlantic Foundation accepts no legal responsibility. All of the recommendations listed here are at your risk. Do your part to support your local ecosystem and keep up with all local, federal, and state laws concerning wildlife and animal welfare.