Why is a woodpecker drumming on my house?
Woodpeckers drum on homes as a sign of:
1) Territorial signalling (drumming). Males drum loudly to mark territory and attract mates, especially in spring. They often choose resonant surfaces like metal gutters, wood siding, or chimney caps because the sound carries further.
2) Foraging for insects: If you have wood siding or eaves, they may be pecking to reach insects living in or under the wood, like carpenter ants or larvae
3) Nesting or Roosting: Woodpeckers may try to excavate a cavity for nesting, especially in soft wood, older siding, or where there’s existing damage.
How can I stop Woodpeckers from damaging my home ?
First it is important to identify why the woodpecker is drumming, and whether this is only a temporary behaviour during spring or if the bird is excavating a hole and going to cause more damage.
Some ways to stop woodpeckers from pecking on your home is to install visual deterrents such as reflective tape, shiny streamers, pinwheels, or plastic owls. Move them regularly so birds don’t get used to them. Motion-activated sprinklers, wind chimes, or even hanging CDs may startle the bird and can also work. Another option is to exclude access by covering the targeted areas with bird netting, hardware cloth, or metal flashing to block access to drumming or nesting sites.
It is important to inspect the area for insects and have a pest control professional check for wood-boring insects if birds continue to actively peck an area.
In spring and early summer, woodpeckers may be protected during nesting season, so avoid disturbing nests once established. Prevention is best done early in the season.