Woodpeckers

Picidae

Woodpecker Facts

Woodpeckers are found all over the world in various countries. Mating occurs in April all the way through June. Woodpeckers can live for up to 11 years in the wild. These noisy pests don’t eat wood, rather they look for food inside the wood. They use their beaks to drill for bugs and other various insects. They may also include nuts and berries in their diets when insects are not available.

Woodpecker Nesting Problem

Their drumming and drilling sounds are the most obvious sign. You’ll either hear a steady beat like someone drumming when they are trying to attract mates, or you’ll hear a quick, whirring sound like a drill when they are looking for food. You’ll be able to spot large holes in trees or other wooden structures that will contain nests for mating.

Woodpecker Nuisance

If damage will be done to your property, it’ll most likely happen between March and June. During this time, they are drumming on trees to attract mates. In the holes they’ve drilled, they’ll begin to build nests. These may be found in trees and buildings, depending on the location. This may leave small dents in wood or metals where they are trying to roost. You’ll want to check around aluminum siding, chimneys, mailboxes, or any other hollowed-out space. When they’re not drumming to attract mates, they may be foraging for food, causing further damage when they’re looking for insects to eat. The noise may be the most annoying part about these birds aside from the potential structural damage they may cause.

Types of Woodpeckers

Woodpecker Identification

Depending on the variety, woodpeckers range in size from 6.5 inch-tall, Downy Woodpeckers to the Pileated Woodpecker that can measure up to 19.5 inches in height. Woodpeckers have thick skulls and extremely powerful neck muscles that allow them to deliver piercing blows to a tree without damaging organs. The tongue of a woodpecker is often covered with sticky saliva, or barbs. This allows them to grab ants and insect larvae from wood cracks and bark.

Woodpeckers On The Roof & In The Chimney

The tell-tale sign of these pests are their distinctive sounds and the holes they leave. It’s possible for them to damage trees, utility and telephone poles, and even buildings. You usually won’t see much damage to aluminum or vinyl siding, but your fascia which is usually made of wood can be riddled with holes from woodpeckers. Look for small holes in clusters along the fascia. The only real nuisance a woodpecker can provide to an entirely aluminum or vinyl-sided house is the noise their drumming makes. It can be very repetitive and annoying during mating seasons. Females will do it to attract a mate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I control a woodpecker nesting problem?

If you’ve heard just about enough of the woodpecker’s song, it may be time to take some action. Placing padding behind areas where they commonly drum will ruin the acoustics of the object and drive it away. It may also help to hang reflective tape or other similar objects along with brightly-colored fabrics to scare them away. Installing hawk or owl models will also send the woodpecker packing.

If the woodpecker is foraging for food, try to remove any insects that it may want to devour, and then seal these areas and paint over them with bright colors. If you find any holes or tunnels, sealing them with cork or putty may drive them away. For immediate, short-term relief, it never hurts to scare them away as soon as you hear them!

Benefits of Professional Woodpecker Pest Control

A pest management professional has the education, equipment and skills necessary to effectively address a woodpecker problem. Finding and treating the woodpeckers can be challenging, especially if they are spread throughout your yard. A pest management professional provides their expertise to identify the pest problem and determine the best possible solution to resolve the woodpecker infestation.