Things You'll Need:
- Bird repellents
- Wind socks or pinwheels
- Aluminum foil or garbage bags
- Insecticides
- Netting
- Paint
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Step 1
Stop a woodpecker when you catch it pecking by making loud noises. The Ohio State University Extension School of Natural Resources explains that clapping your hands, yelling or banging trash cans can often scare a woodpecker away from your home.
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Step 2
Spread a sticky or tacky bird repellent, available at home improvement stores, on or near the damaged area of your house to discourage the woodpecker from coming back to your home. Test a small amount of the repellent on an inconspicuous spot before using liberally on your house, as some formulas may cause discoloration.
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Step 3
Use common decorative objects around your house to scare woodpeckers away from your house. Wind socks, streamers, flags and pinwheels can be scare tactics to control woodpecker damage, according to Colorado State University Extension. If you do not have any of these items, post strips of garbage bags or aluminum foil near the areas that have been damaged by woodpeckers.
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Step 4
Treat your home with insecticides or other pest control products to rid the wood of insects that may be attracting woodpeckers. Wood that is not infested with bugs may not hold as much appeal to the birds.
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Step 5
Protect your home from woodpecker damage by making sure that the birds cannot access the building. This method of woodpecker control is called exclusion. Covering the damaged areas of your house (such as the underside of the eaves of the roof) with netting, metal siding or stainless steel wiring denies woodpeckers access to pecking areas. Paint your repairs to match the rest of your home to make the exclusion devices less noticeable to the birds.
