How can I keep woodpeckers away from my wooden deck?

Question

I have a woodpecker pecking at my wooden deck.

Renaissance Woman · Answer

You did not say whether you have a wooden or composite deck but my husband said that if you have woodpeckers attacking your deck then most likely you have an insect infestation...since they are looking for a source of food

Blu99 · Answer

I agree with Renaissance Woman! But to help get them away from your deck so you by chance feed the birds at your place? Woodpeckers love shelled peanuts that most bird seed stores sell......they are called 'Peanut Pickouts' here because they are not as high a quality and there are no shells. They LOVE peanuts and black oil seed.

Michelle Horne · Answer

Woodpeckers will peck for two different reasons. First is the obvious,  they are in search of food, any burrowing into wood of any sort is where they find all the goodies.  The second reason is to mark territorial space.  This is more common during mating and breeding seasons, so from February through June.

As far as how to get rid of them,  there are many ways,  some of which are not very humane in my opinion.  Personally I love woodpeckers and have secretly envied others who had them at their feeders when I didn't.  This year is the first year we are seeing a few species on our feeders and we are like little kids seeing Santa or the Easter Bunny!  I've never had any peck on my house,  shed,  fence or deck, but that's not to say they won't eventually.  So I wonder if even providing them with an alternate food source will help you deter them from doing what they are all ready used to doing,  especially if it's for territorial reasons.   But I will give you some alternate means of helping to get rid of them.  1) There are sound devices that emit a sonic nose for areas up to an acre that will send them away.  A bit costly though at nearly $300, but better than repairing the damage they can do.  2)there are visual deterrents that scare them,  such as reflective shiny objects.  Or fake owls and hawks.  3) there are coatings,  finishes and sprays that have an odor that woodpeckers don't like.  Again,  can be costly.  And I'm not sure how long they last and how often you have to repeat them.  4) okay,  this might offend some people,  and I don't want to do that,  but if you have kids or grandkids,  buy them a really big super soaker squirt gun and let them have at the birds!  After a few times of being sprayed and scared,  they won't return.   Hope these help.

Paula Schmidt-Lewis · Answer

We previously had a lake cottage that woodpeckers loved, We were told that woodpeckers did not like mirrors, so we should break up some old mirrors and attach them around or near the area being pecked. It worked. The woodpeckers left and didn't return. We didn't repair the damage until we were certain they were gone for good.

Darla Brown · Answer

We put up a plastic owl at our old cabin we had it kept them away...no idea about the bees but I wold guess smoke bees hate it maybe start your barbecue around where they are and make sure the smoke blows their way...not sure if it will work but it's worth a try

Renaissance Woman · Answer

We also have borer bees trying to establish residence in our cedar siding and woodpeckers dining at our feeders oblivious to the bees...my husband thinks you should check for termite residue and get advice from a professional

Dylanthomasp · Answer

We had cardinals pecking around our window and googled remedies--the best one and it worked was to blow up to 8 1/2x11 a picture of a human face and put it in the area where the birds would see it. You could actually see the birds flinch when they saw the face and fly away--we still tease my son about this. They came back once but then left permanently after seeing the face again. We also added some noise--clapping etc when we saw them looking at the face but it was the face that really did it.

Redcatcec · Answer

Can you put up any fencing like chicken wire over the area until they get the message?

Kim |Exquisitely Unremarkable · Answer

It sounds like you have an insect problem. The woodpeckers are looking for food and sense it behind the deck boards. If you remove the bugs the birds should go too.

Mogie · Answer

The wood peckers are attracted to your wood deck because there is food there (bugs).

But here are a few ideas:

Step 1

Mount plastic owls or hawks around the ledges of your wooden deck. Both owls and hawks scare woodpeckers, thus keeping them from coming near your deck.

Step 2

Stand watch and squirt the offending woodpeckers every time they land on your deck to peck the wood. After they get wet a few times, the woodpeckers will leave your property in search of a new place to call home. If you won't be home to squirt the woodpeckers yourself, set up a sprinkler that will squirt water in the area the woodpecker has been seen pecking.

Step 3

Tie several reflective devices around your deck railing to repel the woodpeckers. Aluminum pie tins, aluminum foil sheets, pinwheels and reflective Mylar tape will all work for this purpose. Woodpeckers don't like shiny objects.

Step 4

Cover the areas of the deck that the woodpeckers have been pecking with sticky bird repellents. Woodpeckers will land on the spot and get annoyed by the sticky feeling. This will cause them to fly away. The woodpeckers may return a few times before they get the hint and leave for good.

How can I keep woodpeckers away from my wooden deck?

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How can I keep woodpeckers away from my wooden deck?

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