Woodpeckers hammer on houses for four reasons: drumming to claim a territory, digging for insects in the siding, carving a nest or roost hole, and, in the West, Acorn Woodpeckers storing acorns. The fix depends on which one you have. All woodpeckers are federally protected, so the tools are exclusion, repair and scaring, not removal.
Quick read
Most common cause: in a Cornell survey of 1,185 houses in Ithaca, New York, 33% had woodpecker problems; of those, 55% involved nest or roost excavation, 28% feeding on insects and 18% drumming.
Most reliable fix: netting from the eaves, at least 3 in off the siding, put up at the first sign of damage. UC IPM calls exclusion the most effective method.
Woodpecker damage chart: cause, signs and first fix
| Cause | What you see or hear | When | First fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drumming | Loud, rapid hammering on gutters, downspouts, chimney caps, vents or siding; rarely significant damage (CT DEEP) | Peaks in spring (Missouri Extension); spring and summer (Iowa State) | Wrap the drummed metal in hardware cloth or chicken wire; scare the bird early |
| Insect feeding | Small, irregular holes (Cornell), straight rows of small holes (UC IPM) or long, narrow furrows along seams and window frames (CT DEEP); several woodpeckers visiting suggests insects (Penn State) | Not tied to one season in the sources | Look for carpenter bee, leafcutter bee or grass bagworm larvae (Cornell); caulk grooves; call an exterminator if needed |
| Nest or roost hole | Large, smooth, round holes (Cornell), often near the eaves and 2–3 in across (CT DEEP), sometimes opening into the wall cavity (UC IPM) | Nest holes late April to May (Cornell); roost holes in fall (CT DEEP) | Make sure the hole is empty, then cover and fill it; net that whole side |
| Acorn storage (Acorn Woodpecker, West) | Many acorn-sized holes, one acorn in each (Cornell); acorns wedged under shakes or shingles, hundreds to thousands in one season (UC IPM) | Not given in the sources | Netting or metal over the area; fill the holes, since open holes draw more woodpeckers (Penn State) |
Which houses get hit
Harding, Vehrencamp and Curtis of Cornell surveyed the 1,185 houses from March 2001 to April 2002 (published 2009). Damage peaked in April–May and September–October and rose with tree density in the yard. Missouri Extension says most damage occurs in or within half a mile of woods with large hardwood trees.
| Siding or finish | Chance of woodpecker damage |
|---|---|
| Grooved plywood | 73% |
| Wood shakes | 60% |
| Tongue-and-groove or board-and-batten | 45% |
| Clapboards | 29% |
| Nonwood siding | 21% |
| Stained wood / painted wood / nonwood | 72% / 29% / 10% |
| Stained house in a heavily wooded yard | 97% |
The birds seen working on siding were Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers (to tell them apart: Downy vs Hairy Woodpecker); Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers drummed on metal.
Photos: Camerauthor Photos (left) and Joshua J. Cotten (right) on Unsplash
What federal law allows
- Protection. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 "prohibits the take (including killing, capturing, selling, trading, and transport) of protected migratory bird species" without U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) authorization. It covers all woodpeckers (UC IPM, Iowa State).
- Scaring is allowed. The USFWS depredation FAQ (revised 02/2023): "You do not need a federal depredation permit to simply harass or scare birds," except eagles and federally listed species.
- Nests. Destroying an active nest, one with eggs or chicks, needs a permit; an inactive nest does not (same FAQ). Hence: check a hole is empty before sealing it. More: when to clean out birdhouses.
- Lethal control needs a USFWS depredation permit, generally only after nonlethal methods fail and damage is substantial (Missouri Extension, CT DEEP); the application includes a Form 37 from USDA APHIS Wildlife Services. State permits may also apply (Penn State).
- California: the Gila Woodpecker and Gilded Flicker are state-listed endangered and may not be harassed in any way (UC IPM).
This summarizes agency guidance and is not legal advice; ask your state wildlife agency what applies locally.
Deterrents by cause
Drumming. Wrap chimney caps or metal vents in hardware cloth or chicken wire (UC IPM). Missouri Extension suggests handclapping or a hose spray each time the bird returns, or an alternate drumming board on a tree or post: a cedar board with a second board fastened loosely at one end so the two resonate. Iowa State ranks such diversions as less effective. Drumming usually stops once breeding begins in spring (Cornell).
Insect feeding. Carpenter bee entrance holes are round and about ½ in across; when damage runs in neat rows, caulk the insect tunnels in plywood siding (Missouri Extension). Iowa State and the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management (ICWDM) caution that woodpeckers also drill sound wood, so treating insects alone may not stop them.
Nest and roost holes. Act before or after the nesting season and make sure no bird is inside before filling a hole with wood putty (Cornell). Cover damaged spots with sheet metal, aluminum flashing or ¼-in hardware cloth, painted to match (UC IPM, ICWDM). UC IPM says removing dead trees near the house may make damage worse; see keeping a dead tree safely.
How to hang woodpecker netting
- Use lightweight plastic bird netting with ¾-in mesh (UC IPM, Missouri Extension, ICWDM).
- Fasten the top to the eaves or gutter and run it down and back to the siding below the damage (Penn State, Missouri Extension).
- Keep it at least 3 in from the wall so birds can't peck through (Cornell, UC IPM, Penn State; Iowa State says 2–3 in).
- Pull it taut and close the sides so no bird gets trapped behind it (Cornell, UC IPM).
- Cover the whole side of the house, since birds move to unnetted spots (UC IPM). A two-story wall may need a professional installer.
- Top edge fixed at the eave or gutter.
- Netting with ¾-in mesh, taut, at least 3 in off the siding.
- Bottom edge fastened to the siding below the damage; sides closed.
- Reflective streamers hung from the eaves.
- Nest or roost hole near the eaves: check it is empty before covering.
- Feeding holes in a row along a groove: look for insects, caulk the groove.
- Patch of sheet metal, flashing or ¼-in hardware cloth, painted to match.
- Chimney cap or vent wrapped in hardware cloth against drumming.
Scare devices and repellents: what the evidence says
| Method | What the sources report |
|---|---|
| Reflective streamers | Eliminated damage at half of 16 test sites in Cornell's 2007 study, the only consistent result; ICWDM gives the same 50% for Irri-Tape |
| Mylar balloons | Cornell: "especially effective"; ICWDM: balloons generally ineffective |
| Foil strips, pinwheels, twirlers, CDs | Some success, only before the bird settles in (UC IPM); often temporary (CT DEEP). Missouri: foil strips 2–3 in wide, 2–3 ft long, hung 2–3 ft above the site, 6–10 ft apart |
| Plastic owls, hawks, snakes | Ineffective; birds get used to them (Cornell, UC IPM, Missouri, CT DEEP, Iowa State) |
| Distress-call sound systems | Worked at first, then birds habituated (Cornell); costliest and least effective (Penn State) |
| Shaving mirrors | Can increase damage (ICWDM) |
| Taste and odor repellents | Little or no success (UC IPM, Missouri) |
| Sticky repellents | Cornell says don't use them: they can fatally trap birds. CT DEEP: they get on plumage. Missouri and ICWDM: apply only to tape, never directly to wood |
| Suet feeders | Not consistent in Cornell's 2007 test; may attract more woodpeckers (UC IPM, Missouri) or draw them away (CT DEEP, ICWDM). No suet in hot weather, when it can mat feathers (Missouri, CT DEEP, ICWDM; see suet recipes) |
| Poisons | None registered for woodpeckers (Penn State, ICWDM) |
Long term: siding and finish
Harding and colleagues recommend clapboard or nonwood siding in wooded areas, and paint rather than fresh stain on wood siding. Iowa State agrees: avoid shakes, grooved plywood, tongue-and-groove and board-and-batten, and avoid stain, especially earth tones. UC IPM adds: keep finishes and trim in repair and caulk cracks.
Checklist
- Cause identified from the chart; holes checked for birds, eggs or chicks before sealing
- Netting with ¾-in mesh, at least 3 in off the wall, taut, sides closed, whole side covered
- Holes filled or covered; drummed metal wrapped; streamers up at the first sign
- No sticky repellent on wood, no plastic owl relied on, no summer suet
- Dead trees kept where they are safe
Sources
- Why do woodpeckers like to hammer on houses? And what can I do about it? — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- External characteristics of houses prone to woodpecker damage — Emily G. Harding, Sandra L. Vehrencamp and Paul D. Curtis, Human–Wildlife Conflicts 3(1):136–144 (2009), PDF via CORE
- Woodpeckers (Pest Notes, Publication 74124, updated April 2022) — UC Statewide IPM Program, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
- Woodpeckers — Margaret C. Brittingham, Penn State Extension
- Controlling Nuisance Woodpeckers (G9449) — Robert A. Pierce II, University of Missouri Extension, and Richard Hinnah, USDA APHIS Wildlife Services
- Woodpeckers: Damage Management — Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
- Problems with Woodpeckers — Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP)
- Woodpecker Damage Prevention and Control Methods — Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management
- Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 — U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Depredation permit frequently asked questions (Form 3-200-13, revised 02/2023, PDF) — U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service