The Ultimate Guide on How to Get Rid of a Woodpecker

Woodpeckers can be a nuisance to homeowners, leaving holes in trees and structures and creating an unsettling noise. If you’re wondering how to get rid of a woodpecker, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll be providing you with effective solutions for getting rid of woodpeckers and preventing them from causing further damage to your property.

Identify the Type of Woodpecker

The first step in getting rid of woodpeckers is to identify the type of woodpecker that you’re dealing with. There are over 200 species of woodpeckers worldwide, and each species has different nesting and feeding habits. Some species prefer dead trees, while others target live trees with soft bark.

To identify the type of woodpecker in your area, look for its physical characteristics, such as its color, size, and markings. You should also observe its behavior, noting what type of wood it prefers and how it protects itself.

Understanding the habits and preferences of the woodpecker species that you’re dealing with will help you determine the best strategy for getting rid of them.

Cover the Wood

If you’re dealing with a woodpecker that’s attracted to a particular area on your property, such as a wooden siding or deck, covering the wood with cloth or wire mesh can be an effective temporary solution.

Covering the targeted area with cloth or wire mesh can make the woodpecker uncomfortable and discourage it from pecking. However, this method is not always effective, and it can also damage the wood. Woodpeckers can still find a way to peck through the covered area, and the cloth or wire mesh can trap moisture against the wood, leading to rot.

Install Bird Netting

If you’re looking for a more permanent and humane solution for protecting trees and structures from woodpeckers, consider installing bird netting.

Bird netting is a fine-meshed net that’s placed over the targeted area, such as a tree or a chimney, creating a barrier between the woodpecker and the targeted area. Bird netting is an effective long-term solution that doesn’t harm the woodpecker or other wildlife.

Bird netting is also easy to purchase, install, and remove. It’s available in various sizes and materials to suit different applications, and it comes with all the necessary hardware for installation.

Use Repellents

If you’re looking for a less invasive solution, consider using repellents to discourage woodpeckers from pecking in the targeted area.

Commercially available repellents include sprays, sound devices, and visual deterrents. Sprays are applied directly to the targeted area and contain a bitter-tasting substance that discourages woodpeckers from pecking. Sound devices emit noises that mimic natural woodpecker distress calls. Visual deterrents, such as reflective tape or balloons, are used to create a visual barrier that scares woodpeckers away from the targeted area.

Repellents can be effective but are not a guarantee. Not all woodpeckers will be deterred by them, and in some cases, the woodpeckers may become accustomed to the sound or visual stimuli.

Create a Barrier

Another long-term solution for preventing woodpecker damage is to create a physical barrier around the targeted area. Metal flashing or wire mesh can be installed around the area where woodpeckers have been pecking, creating a physical barrier that prevents them from causing further damage.

The flashing or mesh should be installed tightly around the targeted area, creating a snug fit that prevents woodpeckers from getting in. This method is a permanent solution that’s effective in preventing woodpeckers from pecking in the same area again.

Seek Help

If you’ve tried all the above methods and still can’t get rid of woodpeckers, it’s time to seek the help of a wildlife specialist. Trapping or harming woodpeckers is not recommended, as it’s both illegal and inhumane.

A wildlife specialist can provide you with other solutions, such as habitat modification or relocation, to address your woodpecker problem.

Conclusion

To get rid of woodpeckers and prevent them from causing further damage to your property, you can try covering the wood with cloth or wire mesh, installing bird netting, using repellents, creating a physical barrier with flashing or wire mesh, or seeking the help of a wildlife specialist. It’s important to remember to address the problem safely and humanely, without harming the woodpeckers or other wildlife.