Best Woodpecker Deterrent

What are Woodpeckers?

Woodpeckers are a type of bird known for poking holes into wood with their beaks. The birds do so while looking for insects, which they tend to find in crevices of bark or the cavities of old nests. There are more than 180 species of woodpeckers worldwide, although many of them are in the Northern Hemisphere. Along with insects, woodpeckers may eat:

• Fruits
• Nuts
• Acorns

A woodpecker’s beak is unique, especially when compared to other birds. The beak is sharp and pointed. The bird uses this as a type of crowbar and chisel, which breaks holes in wooden surfaces. The birds also have a long tongue, which can stretch up to four inches. A woodpecker’s tongue is sticky with a glue-like substance, which helps it to catch insects deep in a tree.

The Pecking of a Woodpecker

Although woodpeckers are most common in forests and other wooded areas, they could become problematic in your area if they find a food source within the walls of your home. Additionally, experts believe that woodpeckers knock on trees not just when looking for food, but when communicating with fellow birds as well. Scientists think that woodpeckers can bang their beak up to 12,000 times daily.

Protecting and Getting Rid of Woodpeckers

Getting rid of woodpeckers can prove more challenging than getting rid of other birds or rodents because they’re an endangered species, and it’s illegal to kill them without a permit from the U.S Fish and Wildlife Agency. If you choose to use traps, you’ll need to check these daily to release the birds and reset the traps.

Many homeowners find that checking traps routinely is more troublesome and time-consuming than they’d like. Deterrents are more convenient and can keep the birds from flying onto your property. Deterrents utilize various strategies, from scare tactics to chemicals to ultrasonic sounds.

If the problem persists even after utilizing woodpecker deterrents, you’ll likely need to call your local pest control company.

However, pest control companies can be considerably more expensive than deterrents or traps and should ideally be a last resort. We recommend using the obstacles first to see if this will not scare the woodpecker away from your yard. Only when these measures are ineffective should you consider moving onto other, more costly options.

Getting rid of woodpeckers takes patience and persistence. Because of their savvy, we recommend using multiple deterrent options to increase the odds of success. For instance, spraying our best liquid deterrent onto your trees, roof, and sides of your home will prevent the bird from drilling holes into the wood if they manage to make it past other deterrents.

When are Woodpeckers the Most Problematic?

Depending on where you live, woodpeckers may exist year-round. However, in most climates, they tend to be most problematic in the summer and fall. We advise homeowners to purchase their woodpecker deterrents at the end of winter or in the early spring so that they are in place when the birds begin to arrive. Being proactive against woodpeckers is one of the best ways to prevent their infestation.

Summary

Catch-and-release options may only go so far since there’s nothing to prevent the woodpecker from returning. Many homeowners find that utilizing deterrents is the only way to deter woodpeckers from wreaking havoc on the structure of your home or the trees in your yard.

The woodpecker deterrents we’ve provided will help keep the birds away. We recommend using a combination of all three products for maximum effectiveness, though this is obviously a less cost-efficient option. Woodpecker deterrent sounds can serve as a first line of defense. Should woodpeckers fly through the ultrasonic barrier, a scare kit may prove useful. If they continue, liquid deterrent should prove to be an immediate rebuke.