Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Changing the woodpeckers' food source
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

Woodpeckers use their sharp beaks to peck holes in trees and then stick their long, spiky tongues in for insects. Woodpeckers also knock to mark their territory and find a mate. If a woodpecker sees your home as his territory, his knocking can damage the outside of your home and annoy you. Read this article to find out how to keep woodpeckers away from your home and garden.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Changing the woodpeckers' food source

1. Examine your home for signs of an insect infestation. If woodpeckers keep tapping their beaks against your house, chances are they have good reason to do so. You may have a group of insects such as bees, ants, or termites living in your home that attract woodpeckers to your home. Taking steps to remove food sources for woodpeckers from your home is the first step in getting rid of woodpeckers.
   • Go to the attic or that part of the house closest to where the woodpecker was pecking. Check for dead insects on the windowsills and in the corners. Check for bee nests between the roof beams. Check for loose, rotting pieces of wood in your house or yard. These are all signs of an insect infestation.
   • If you notice signs of an insect infestation, take immediate action to control the insects. Use a natural method to get rid of the bugs or call a pest repeller to fix the problem for you.
2. Use visual repellants. Woodpeckers are easily scared off by their enemies, shiny materials and anything out of the ordinary, especially when they move. Try attaching the following visual repellants to your home where woodpeckers have inflicted damage:
   • Hang aluminum cake tins, strips of foil or reflective tape from your home. The pieces of aluminum should be long enough to move in the wind and swing back and forth. This deters woodpeckers. Hardware stores also have aluminum roof and facade construction products that can be nailed to your home to protect it from woodpeckers.
   • Hang pieces of wire or colored rope where woodpeckers like to go.
   • Place a figure in the shape of a hawk, owl or eagle on your rafters close to where you saw woodpeckers.
   • Hang a flag or decoration near the spot if you want a solution that is more visually appealing. A windsock or a windmill that moves quickly when the wind blows both work well to deter woodpeckers.
3. Contact the Bird Protection. Woodpeckers are protected birds and the Bird Protection can give you advice and help to get rid of the woodpeckers in an animal-friendly way.

Tips

• For best results, combine all of the methods described above.

Warnings

• Do not shoot, catch, or injure woodpeckers. Woodpeckers are protected birds in our country.

Necessities

• Aluminum cake tins, strips of foil or reflective tape
• Windsock or windmill
• Plastic owl or hawk that moves
• Ultrasonic sound recordings
• Wind chimes
• Feeder box and beef fat
• Fine-meshed wire mesh, plastic mesh or bird nets