We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Gardening

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How do I get Rid of Woodpeckers?

By Tara Barnett
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 10,636
Share

Woodpeckers can be irritating and destructive creatures to have around the yard. Unfortunately, it's not easy to get rid of woodpeckers once they've decided to hang around. Moreover, they're often protected by law, and so one can't usually do anything that would harm them. When trying to get rid of woodpeckers, it is important to understand why woodpeckers peck wood in order to get rid of them. They may have found insects in the wood, or they may simply be marking their territory. If the problem is insects, and the insects are in the siding of one's house, then the insect problem needs to be resolved in order to get rid of woodpeckers permanently. If the birds are pecking to mark their territory, then a different deterrent must be used.

One way to get rid of woodpeckers is to simply distract them with a better, easier food source. This can be done by hanging a suet feeder in a place the woodpeckers frequent. Most birds are smart enough to go for easy food rather than hunt it down, and this may keep the woodpecker from damaging trees and houses. The best way to make sure the birds stay away is to first place the suet feeder close to the location the birds are damaging, then move it a few feet farther away once every few days, effectively drawing the birds away from the undesirable location.

If this does not work, another way to get rid of woodpeckers involves visual deterrents designed to frighten the birds. Visual deterrents are inexpensive, as any shiny or fluttering item will work to deter woodpeckers. One can use aluminum foil, wind chimes, or special stickers designed precisely for this purpose. Many stores sell silhouettes of predatory birds designed to scare off woodpeckers, but because these do not move, they may not work for long.

Auditory deterrents are a more expensive option, but there are specialized machines designed just for this purpose. These machines usually work by detecting motion and playing sounds to which the birds are sensitive, such as the calls of predatory species, in order to trick the woodpeckers. While this system is expensive, it is also much less invasive than the maximally effective strategy, which involves blocking the birds from ever reaching the house.

This is usually accomplished by hanging materials through which the birds cannot pass, which can be unsightly and labor-intensive to set up. Stubborn birds can be a major problem for some homeowners, and if all else fails, there are usually professional bird removal services available in areas where woodpeckers live which may apply a number of tactics including physical relocation of the bird.

Share
HomeQuestionsAnswered is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.homequestionsanswered.com/how-do-i-get-rid-of-woodpeckers.htm
Copy this link
HomeQuestionsAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

HomeQuestionsAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.