How To Handle Woodpeckers

Preventing woodpecker damage

Woodpeckers are beautiful birds and they also could be very destructive. These birds are federally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. When dealing with woodpeckers, there are several things that can be done in order to be effective with protecting your property at home from damage. It can be frustrating dealing with woodpecker damage and findings effective bird control solutions. Well… this article will explain exactly what needs to be done to solve your woodpecker problems. First off, It is always a good choice to find licensed professional bird expert. Secondly, the birds behavior has to be changed through applying multiple sensory deterrents and addressing any food source issues. Furthermore, follow up visits need to be done and changes need to be made in order to have success with woodpecker deterrents and changing woodpecker behavior. Next, repairs should be made to the structure in order to prevent leaks and other animal entry. Finally, ongoing maintenance and prevention is paramount in having any type of success with woodpecker control.

It can be challenging choosing a wildlife removal or pest control and extermination company to handle your woodpecker problem. Smart Solutions Wildlife Removal located in Roswell, Georgia offers very comprehensive woodpecker removal and control programs. We utilize a wide variety of bird control techniques that our biologists have researched and tested for over 25 years. We service a wide range of locations in the Georgia. Learn more about our woodpecker services. We also offer carpenter bee extermination and pest extermination to address food sources that these birds will peck and damage wood to gain access for food. Check out our carpenter bee control page. Treating the insect infestations in the wood is necessary to solve the bird activity problem. Woodpeckers love to eat carpenter bee larva. Identifying why the woodpeckers are putting pressure on a home should be identified first in order to have success with changing their behavior. There are three different reasons why woodpeckers are present on a structure: First, they eat insect larva that is developing in the wood of the structure, next they are drumming and creating sounds to attract a mate or to establish territorial rights, lastly they will choose to make a hole in a void to nest. Active woodpeckers nests should be left alone until the chicks fledge the nest in order to preserve our native protect bird species. There are several different species of woodpeckers in Georgia: The yellow-bellied sap sucker woodpecker, hairy woodpecker, downy woodpecker, red-headed woodpecker, and the pileated woodpecker.

Smart Solutions Professional Woodpecker Control

Applying bird sensory deterrents in areas of woodpeckers activity can be effective if done correctly. They are very determined and aggressive birds and the correct materials and techniques need to be used. Visual, taste, smell and touch deterrents can be utilized in order to have the best success. Woodpeckers will cause chimney damage, siding damage, wood trim damage, window damage, deck damage and more. They will make unsightly holes in pretty much anything that’s wood. They can also bang on and damage metal chimney caps and roof stack pipes, making a huge racket. These birds also tend to damage areas that are very high and hard to access. Using ladders to access these areas can be dangerous but is also necessary for success.

Performing initial follow up and monitoring visits to prevent woodpeckers from damaging your home is highly needed. The most important part about controlling birds and pest prevention is monitoring so the correct action plan can be executed on a regular basis for success. Without regular visits, often times the bird behavior cannot be changed. Continuing to apply visual, taste, smell and touch deterrent techniques into the behavior has changed will prove to be the formula you are looking for.

Woodpecker Damage Repair

After the behavior has changed and the damage has stopped, the repairs can be made. Making repairs prematurely will cause woodpeckers to move around the structure and home and cause even more damage in adjacent areas. Making repairs with heavy gauge metal, composite wood fillers and painting to blend when the time is ready will help prevent water intrusion and rodents from entering. Replacing the wood will only intice the birds to cause damage to the new wood. Other alternatives are to replace trim with PVC board and siding with hardy plank or siding covers. Full replacement can most times be very expensive and a bird control program should be performed before that done.

Ongoing maintenance has proven to be the recipe for success for sustained woodpecker prevention. These programs can be offered by a professional Pest Control company that specializes in Bird programs. The programs should be performed at least six times a year, if not monthly in order to have eyes on the activity and to prevent ongoing damage. Different techniques can be used during the routine visits to have continued success in protecting your home.

In summary, we hope this article helped with explaining bird behavior, choosing and hiring a professional pest and wildlife company and the correct and ongoing process of what a comprehensive woodpecker program can do for your bird problems.