How to Stop Woodpeckers from Hitting My House
Woodpeckers can create an irritating and chronic problem for some homeowners. Not only is their incessant pecking bothersome to residents, it also can cause damage to your home, leading to costly repairs. Before you resort to hair-pulling and violence, you can take a few steps that may help convince those pesky birds to leave you and your home alone. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Scare them away. If you hear or spot a woodpecker working on your house, first try to make noises at a nearby window or through the interior wall. If that doesn't work, try hanging foil strips, a child's pinwheel, cutouts of owls or hawks, wind chimes or balloons near where the woodpecker is pecking. These objects have visual or audible characteristics that are unappealing to the bird and may deter it from hanging around your house.
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Block its pecking area. Put up a barrier to block the woodpecker from getting to its pecking area, using sheet metal, bird netting or hardware cloth. Leave at least 3 inches of space between the barrier and the house so the bird can't continue to peck through the material.
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Provide an alternative pecking object for the woodpecker. Although not as effective as scare tactics or barriers, it may be helpful to create new pecking surfaces for the woodpecker to use. Woodpeckers like to eat suet. Smear it on a tree or install a specially designed suet feeder. Provide perching and pecking surfaces near the feeder. Be careful, though, as this may attract additional woodpeckers to your property.
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Get professional help. Pest control companies in your area may have experience with trapping and removing woodpeckers from properties. You can also contact a wildlife services office in your area and ask them to refer you to someone who can help.
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