Most people would agree that woodpeckers are beautiful birds to look at, particularly with the bright red feathers on their head and black and white striped feathers on their bodies. But late autumn is the time of year when woodpeckers can become a real nuisance to homeowners.
Woodpeckers peck holes in trees, decks, and wood siding on homes for three reasons … for drumming, feeding, and nesting. Woodpeckers “drum” in order to make noise, either for attracting a mate or to advertise that the nearby territory is claimed. Woodpeckers also make holes in search of food, like beetles, larvae and other insects. And finally, extensive drilling in one location can mean a woodpecker is looking to make a nest.
When woodpeckers are pecking, they do not differentiate between a tree, and other types of wood. So this is when woodpeckers can damage your deck or home. Covering up the holes will not prevent the woodpeckers from pecking somewhere else on your deck or home. And most people don’t realize that woodpeckers are protected, so harming them in anyway is against the law.
So how can homeowners protect their homes and decks from pecking woodpeckers this fall/winter? There are many different types of deterrents on the market. After many years of experience, the knowledgeable staff at Chappaqua Paint & Hardware have found that the two most effective deterrents are fake owls and scare tape. Owls are a natural predator to woodpeckers, so putting a decoy up on your house will scare woodpeckers away. And scare tape is a shiny aluminum foil like tape that is hung on bushes or the deck or house and the reflective nature of the tape deters woodpeckers from landing anywhere nearby. Sometimes with persistent woodpeckers, we suggest using both deterrents at one time.
Whatever problems you encounter with woodpeckers or any other types of birds, we are here to help. We at Chappaqua Paint & Hardware are your resource for all your homeowner needs, damaging birds or otherwise. We have a knowledgeable and experienced staff that can advise you on the best products and assist you with any household problem. We hope to see you in our store soon!
