Drumming behavior is probably to establish a territory or attract a mate and will most likely stop once breeding has begun in the spring. Many siding types are potential instruments for woodpecker drumming behavior. Cover all holes as soon as possible. The woodpecker is proclaiming your territory as his own and attracting a mate at the same time. Re: Woodpecker Pecking House Siding and Rake Board Wrong time of year for this post, but in the early spring we have had 2 occasions when woodpeckers have been persistently hammering on metal, one was an old wood stove abandoned on the lot next door and the other was my 16' aluminum ladder next to the house. The hallmark pecking will aid you in locating where a bird’s nest might be and therefore usher them out of your backyard. Also attractive to woodpeckers are metal downspouts, gutters, chimneys, and vents. Place aluminum flashing over the areas where the woodpecker is pecking. These include houses with aluminum siding, as well as the trim boards and fascia boards of any wood, brick, and stucco homes. What can you do? Once they do happen to find their mate, they’ll keep pecking at your house to establish a roosting hole. The drawback: It might not look as good as natural wood or other sidings, or maybe other things are easier to do (like repeatedly filling holes with wood putty). Just make sure that the woodpecker is not living in your home. How to stop woodpeckers from pecking on your house: If a woodpecker is destroying your wooden siding, there are several steps you can take to stop the pecking and to prevent the problem from reoccurring. Harass and scare the woodpecker causing damage, using one or more of the following … You may want to think about protective vinyl siding, or placing aluminum sheeting in affected areas. The options are limited and for the most part, all non-lethal. Drumming damage is … 2. The flashing will stop the pecking at that spot because: 1) it is metal, 2) it changes the sound, and 3) woodpeckers don’t like shiny objects. It’s 5:30 a.m. and you’re suddenly woken up by the noise of a woodpecker pecking away on the side your house. They could also be looking for insects hiding in your siding. Drumming behavior is often more annoying than damaging, though it can be fun and informative to observe. The vinyl is almost poke proof, and at the very least, it’s not any fun to peck at. Aluminum siding is scary and it also prevents other critters from climbing. Some of their favorite foods include … All the noise the male woodpeckers make may be annoying to you, but it’s oddly charming to the female woodpeckers.
1. Hanging aluminum windmills, foil strips, or similar shiny, reflective materials may scare the woodpecker away. If the siding of the house is completely aluminum or vinyl, the primary aggravation may be the sound of a woodpecker drumming on a gutter or chimney. While they aren’t perched on tree branches and pecking, the woodpeckers will use other areas on your property to roost and rest, such as your roof, fences, eaves and other tall places.