Are you tired of having to deal with woodpeckers pecking away at your cedar siding? There are several ways you can help deter them from causing more damage.
Woodpeckers can be an unwelcome distraction if they decide to make your cedar siding their newest home. Not only do woodpeckers create quite a racket with their rigorous pecking, but their persistent search for food and nesting cavities can cause considerable damage to unprotected wooden materials.
Fortunately, you can take some simple steps to protect your cedar siding from these feathered friends – all without using dangerous chemicals or other hazardous measures.
To stop this pesky problem from persisting, here are some simple tips for deterring woodpeckers from cedar siding – so that both you and nature can find peace! Keep reading to learn more about how to deter woodpeckers from cedar siding from becoming reoccurring guests on your property!
What Will You Need?
First and foremost, you’ll need to have the following items on hand before getting started:
- Bird netting
- Plastic owl decoy
- Aluminum foil strips or Mylar ribbons
- Repellant sprays are designed specifically for woodpeckers.
Once you’ve procured these necessary items, you’re ready to start deterring those woodpeckers.
10 Easy Steps on How to Deter Woodpeckers From Cedar Siding
Step 1. Install Bird Net
Begin by installing bird netting on the cedar siding that is affected. This lightweight, easy-to-install solution can help keep woodpeckers away from your cedar siding and prevent them from trying to nest there. Don’t forget to check the netting regularly and ensure it’s not snagged or torn.
Step 2. Place a Plastic Owl Decoy
Adding a plastic owl decoy nearby can also help deter woodpeckers, as they are natural predators of the birds. Position it near the affected area so that it looks like it is watching the pecking. If possible, move the owl around regularly to make it appear more lifelike.
Step 3. Hang Aluminum Foil Strips
The shiny surface of aluminum foil strips can help deter woodpeckers from cedar siding, as they don’t like how it reflects light and noise. Simply hang them around the affected area to create a barrier between the birds and your siding. Don’t forget to check the strips every few days and replace them when necessary.
Step 4. Hang Mylar Ribbons
Like aluminum foil strips, hanging Mylar ribbons around the affected area can also deter woodpeckers from cedar siding. The shimmering material helps confuse and alert any passing birds, making them think twice about returning! Additionally, the ribbons will also provide a more aesthetically pleasing appearance around your property.
Step 5. Use Repellant Sprays Designed for Woodpeckers
Repellant sprays designed for woodpeckers are another great way to deter them from cedar siding. Apply the spray on the affected area and reapply when needed. Be careful not to use too much, as this could create an unpleasant odor for people nearby.
Step 6. Trim Overhanging Trees
Trimming overhanging trees can also help discourage woodpeckers from returning to your property, as it reduces their access to food sources and nesting spots near your home. You can also use trimming as an opportunity to remove dead branches and reduce the risk of them falling near your cedar siding. It will also open up the area and give way to a more pleasing view.
Step 7. Add Reflective Surfaces
Adding reflective surfaces around your property or near the affected area can also deter woodpeckers greatly. Mirrors, CDs, and metallic balloons are all excellent choices! Ensure that all reflective surfaces are secure and can’t easily be removed or broken by any animals.
Step 8. Install Ultrasonic Devices
Ultrasonic devices emit loud noises that only birds can hear, making them less likely to return to your property. Use these devices as a last resort, as they can be quite noisy and may annoy your neighbors. Also, check the device for any possible malfunctions and keep it clean.
Step 9. Cover the Siding with Wire Mesh
If all else fails, you can always cover the affected area of your cedar siding with a metal wire mesh. Not only will this create a physical barrier between birds and your home, but it also looks aesthetically pleasing! This is a great option to try if you’re looking for a more permanent solution.
Step 10. Contact a Professional
If these solutions still don’t deter woodpeckers from cedar siding, then it might be time to contact a professional company specializing in bird control and removal methods. They should be able to advise on how to keep pesky woodpeckers away from your property effectively!
By following these easy steps, you, too, can deter woodpeckers from cedar siding and keep them away for good! With the right materials and a bit of patience, you’ll have woodpeckers out of your hair in no time!
5 Additional Tips and Tricks
1. Install a physical barrier like netting, chicken wire, or plastic strips to the siding. This will create an obstacle for woodpeckers and can help deter them from pecking your cedar siding.
2. Hang shiny objects or wind chimes near the affected areas of your home’s exterior. Woodpeckers do not like noise and movement, so this could be an effective way to keep them away.
3. Try using taste deterring substances such as hot sauce, cayenne pepper solution, or even petroleum jelly on your siding in the affected areas – this will make it unpleasant for woodpeckers to peck!
4. Covering up potential food sources (i.e., exposed insects) can reduce their attraction to your home’s exterior, further reducing their likelihood of pecking at your cedar siding.
5. Install owl decoys around the perimeter of your house – woodpeckers are intimidated by owls, and seeing a fake one may help scare them off!
These tips should help you protect your cedar siding from woodpeckers and keep your home looking as good as new. Use these tricks to help deter these pesky birds!
5 Things You Should Avoid
1. Don’t put up a mesh or netting near the siding to prevent woodpeckers from landing. This can actually trap them and make them more likely to cause damage, as they will be more determined to get away from the mesh.
2. Don’t leave food sources such as bird feeders in the vicinity of your home, as this may attract woodpeckers to your house.
3. Don’t hang shiny objects on or near your house; these are attractive targets for woodpeckers and may encourage pecking behavior.
4. Don’t use deterrents that involve chemical sprays or sound-emitting devices. These may not be effective at deterring woodpeckers long-term and may also be disturbing to your neighbors.
5. Don’t use wood repair products that contain either creosote or pentachlorophenol, as these are toxic and can harm birds if ingested.
By following these guidelines, you’ll be able to keep woodpeckers away from the cedar siding on your home, protecting it from potential damage.
What Do You Use to Fill Woodpecker Holes in Cedar Siding?
The best way to handle woodpecker holes in cedar siding is by using a high-quality filler material. You can buy fillers specifically designed for exterior use, such as epoxy putty or acrylic latex caulk. These materials are often easy to use and won’t shrink over time, helping to ensure that the repair lasts for years.
It’s also important to match the color of the filling material with your cedar siding, so it isn’t obvious after the repair is complete. If you have any questions about using these types of fillers, consult an expert before you start the project.
Additionally, you may want to consider how the woodpecker was able to make holes in your cedar siding. It’s possible that you need to take steps to further deter these birds from returning, such as setting up birdhouses, covering exposed areas of siding with mesh netting, or filling any cavities or cracks in the structure where birds may be able to hide. Taking these precautions can help ensure that the woodpecker problem doesn’t recur in the future.
Overall, how to deter woodpeckers from cedar siding can be a tricky situation to tackle. Following the tips outlined above and consulting with a professional can help you keep your cedar siding protected and looking its best.
Conclusion
In conclusion, homeowners can take a few steps to deter woodpeckers from damaging their cedar-sided homes. By blocking off easy access to the siding with netting, trimming any trees that are close enough for the birds to land on, and making loud noises or blowing out forceful jets of air when they come near, it is possible to minimize evidence of woodpeckers while also protecting your house.
While these methods may or may not be perfect solutions depending on personal circumstances and local wildlife patterns, testing them in combination could provide strong deterrence at minimal cost and effort. If successful, such solutions could save you time, money, and frustration spent trying to handle a woodpecker problem after it has already arisen. Remember these strategies, and you’re sure to keep your cedar siding safe!
Hopefully, the article on how to deter woodpeckers from cedar siding has been helpful in guiding your efforts to protect your home. By following these tips and paying attention to potential sources of food or shelter on your property, you can keep woodpeckers away from your cedar siding and prevent damage.
