There is a small woodpecker that's been pecking a hole on the side of my house. It sounds so loud and the hole is small but he keeps going to the same location over and over. I've tried to spray him with my garden hose but he's too fast. Is there some kind of spray repellent I can squirt up there to keep him away?
Woodpeckers will usually look for food in wood and if you have some kind of insect nesting in your siding, he could be pecking out the bugs. When feeding their holes and pecking will be all over the house though usually in one main region or side. Now if there only appears to be one main hole like you're describing, it's more likely this bird is trying to make nest.
I suggest you view our woodpecker control video below which shows how to install one of our ATTACK SPIDERS. This is a visual deterrent that does a great job of scaring away unwanted animals like woodpeckers. Installed above the hole but close enough to reach it when activated, the moving action of the spider will keep this bird away. It usually only takes a couple of encounters and the unwanted pecking will cease.
Here is a direct link the Attack Spider and some other Bird Control Product options:
Attack Spider: http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page1658.html
Bird Control products: http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page80.html#1658
Filed under woodpecker damage by 
Do you have a spray that the sapsucker finds objectionable? Any way to do away with them?
There are several options available and in most situations, it's really just a matter of matching up the best option for where you need to repel them. For starters, I suggest you review our WOODPECKER CONTROL article. In the article you'll see a product mentioned called ROPEL that can be sprayed where they're active. It will usually get them to move away and stay away from treated surfaces.
The JUMPING SPIDER is another good option and deploying one anywhere unwanted sapsuckers are pecking or landing will usually do the trick. They're easy to install and use and can last a good long time requiring little maintenance.
Lastly, taking away their food supply is usually a good idea too so be sure and review the area where they're active to see if there is an insect population that's attracting them. This time of year we find they're targeting a lot of CARPENTER BEES and if you have untreated nests with young developing, you'll no doubt be luring lots of sapsuckers to the area. Treat the nests and get rid of the insects and the birds will move away too.
Here are direct links to the information and products listed above:
Woodpecker Control: http://www.woodpecker-control.com/woodpecker-control
Ropel: http://www.bugspraycart.com/repellents/liquid/ropel-liquid
Jumping Spider: http://www.bugspraycart.com/repellents/visual/attack-spider-w18-line
Carpenter Bee Control: http://www.carpenterbees.com/carpenter-bee-control
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We appear to have a pare of "pileated" wood peckers in our wooded lot. Our house is 2 story in
the back and has many very large picture windows that have a sun screen film on the inside. This is slightly reflective on the out side. One of these woodpeckers is very persistent at pecking at these windows .He also is stripping a lot of bark from a large oak tree just behind our house.
What can be done out side of shooting these birds?
Thanks for any advice you can share.
Craig
Install some JUMPING SPIDERS onto the windows where they've been seen. As you can see in the video embedded on our product page, this motion is scary to birds. Any bird attempting to peck the window will activate the spider which will cause it to leave immediately. Install 1-2 on any tree you want to save and within a short period of time (1-2 weeks), they will move off your land to forage for food.
Here are direct links to the information and products listed above:
Jumping Spiders: http://www.bugspraycart.com/repellents/visual/attack-spider-w18-line
Filed under Blog by
those @#$%^&* pileateds have returned after a year's hiatus. they strip wood from our all cedar house. we have the exterior sprayed once a month & they specifically look for carpenter bee holes. we have had to replace an entire, lg. Pella window, lots of siding etc. it's run us into $1,000s of $$. we also live next to a woods. i am very angry. they are brazen and when you run them off they come right back. my neighbor is having the same trouble. we are away mos. of the yr. so monitoring is difficult. HELP!!
Two things you need to do. First, treat the nests as explained in our CARPENTER BEE CONTROL article. Second, install some JUMPING SPIDERS above any sections where they're active. As long as the Spiders are there, the birds will stay away!
Here are direct links to the article and product:
Carpenter Bee Control: http://www.carpenterbees.com/carpenter-bee-control
Jumping Spider: http://www.bugspraycart.com/repellents/visual/attack-spider-w18-line
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We have big Bradford Pear Trees and we never see or hear the Woodpecker's. But our trees have thousands of holes where they have been pcking. What can we do about it?
You have a couple of options. First and foremost, it's important to understand the woodpeckers are feeding on insects that no doubt are nesting on or in the bradford pear trees. It just so happens bradords are subject to many types of insects moving "in" on them. What I mean is that there are many types of boring insects as well as bark seeking pests which will take advantage of vulnerable pear trees. Some of these insects will be targeting your trees for food. Others will be using the tree to nest or hide during adverse weather or even for an entire season. So to decrease the amount of interest woodpeckers will have for your trees, it would be wise to spray them 2-3 times a year. Simply treating the trunk and limbs with CYPERMETHRIN can not only kill anything living on them but also repel most any pest. In the end, reducing the amount of food on the tree will go a long way at reducing the amount of woodpecker interest which in turn will cut out the damage.
To deal more directly with the woodpeckers, you can install some IRRITAPE to the trunk sections where they seem most focused. Cut 1-4 foot pieces as needed and tack them on anywhere you see pecking and damage. Spread out the tape by 3-6 feet and you should be able to get good enough coverage to keep them away for good. Another visual repellent is our ATTACK SPIDER which can be mounted pretty much anywhere. Both these products serve as a visual repellent and are designed to keep them off and away from trees you want to protect but they won't reduce insect activity or infestation which is most likely why the woodpeckers are coming around. Reduce this population and in the end you'll find the trees will both last longer and not draw so much attention that usually leads to damage.
Here are direct links to the information and products listed above:
Cypermethrin: http://www.bugspraycart.com/insecticide/liquid/viper-cypermethrin
Irritapte: http://www.bugspraycart.com/repellents/visual/irritape-bird-ribbon-25-ft
Attack Spider: http://www.bugspraycart.com/repellents/visual/attack-spider-w18-line
Filed under trees by
Woodpeckers are pecking holes all the way around my satsuma trees. How can I keep them away? I thought about wrapping some of the branches & parts of the trunk in foil. Will that work or hurt the tree??
I'm not sure on using "foil" but I do know two things that will.
If you only have 1-2 trees where they're active, hanging a JUMPING SPIDER close to where they land will assuredly keep them away. IN most cases they'll start foraging elsewhere and within a week you can take down the spiders using them as needed throughout the year.
Another option is to lightly wipe down the trunk and tree limbs they're using with some 4-T-B REPELLENT. It's a non drying glue like product that lasts a few months. They won't like landing on it and will avoid any place it's applied.
Here are direct links to the information and products listed above:
Jumping Spider: http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page1658.html
4-T-B Repellent: http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page175.html
Filed under Blog by
We hired animal control company to put a deterrent on our condo after 7 holes were made. The woodpecker moved to another building – one that just was completely resided and is now destroying the cedar trim board! What can we do to keep him from moving from building to building – local company is charging $60 plus $79 each woodpecker to trap – requires 6 week delay while waiting for wildlife approval! Any suggestions?
There is no doubt two things going on here. As explained in our WOODPECKER CONTROL ARTICLE, these birds will peck for one of three reasons: food, territory marking or nesting. Since it's the fall and not spring, we can rule out territory marking or nesting activity. That leaves food. In all likelihood there is something in the wood they're targeting and in the end, eliminating the food supply will no doubt decrease and eventually stop this destructive behavior. I encourage you to try and identify what might be living in the wood that these guys might be seeking. I'm leaning toward carpenter bees but have no reason to think this other then you mentioned the wood is cedar which I know carpenter bees love. Regardless of the pest, if you eliminate them (the food for the woodpeckers), the birds will move away on their own.
But to stop them now, I suggest installing a MOVING SPIDER where you see any activity. As our video's show, this device is very effective at keeping them away. I would get a few and have them installed whenever any activity is detected. As long as you have them installed they'll keep all birds away. This will allow you to better assess the situation insect wise and if you can figure out what the birds are targeting, maybe you can treat that problem and get rid of both pests for good.
Here are direct links to the information and products listed above:
Woodpecker Control Article: http://www.woodpecker-control.com/woodpecker-control
Moving Spider: http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page1658.html
Carpenter Bee Control: http://www.carpenterbees.com/carpenter-bee-control
Filed under how to deter by
The woodpeckers are tearing up the wood to get to the larvae. How can I scare them off so I can treat and hopefully stop the bee damage?
There is no need to scare them off. All birds are naturally afraid of people. Woodpeckers are especially "flighty" and will quickly leave as soon as you come within their vision. That being said, I do suggest you install some MOVING SPIDERS but only after you treat the carpenter bee holes. This will insure your home doesn't sustain any more damage because the woodpeckers will no doubt stick around awhile since they now know your home is full of food.
At this point your strategy should be two fold. The first step will be to get some DRIONE DUST and treat all the exposed and obvious carpenter bee holes as explained in our CARPENTER BEE CONTROL article. Once treated, seal them up with the 1/2" CORKS. Next, install some of the Spiders in the same area. They'll protect the wood from further damage. If you treat well enough, the bees and larvae will all be dead within a few days. Larvae hatching over the summer will all die since the Drione will last 6-12 months when treated holes are sealed as we explain.
Here are direct links to the information and products listed above:
Moving Spiders: http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page1658.html
Drione Dust: http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page256.html
Carpenter Bee Control: http://www.carpenterbees.com/carpenter-bee-control
1/2" Corks: http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page257.html
Filed under how to stop by
I'm continually having issues with woodpeckers putting holes through the siding of my house. It is cedar plywood siding. The woodpeckers are putting holes through the chimney portion of the house (highest part of the house). My understanding is that Woodpeckers do this because there are bugs inside that they want to feed on? What product(s) do you have that might help deter the woodpeckers? If I patch a hole they go right back to the same spot.
Regards, T.
Woodpeckers will commonly peck in search of food. Cedar commonly gets infested with Carpenterbees, Carpenterants, Powderpost Beetles and Woodwasps. Additional sources of food include Boxelder Bugs, Asian Ladybugs and Stinkbugs. These invasive insects will readily move onto structures every fall seeking shelter from the soon to arrive winter season. Though these insects don't bore into the wood, they will many times get up under the siding. Their presence alone will attract woodpeckers which do what they know best to get the "pot of gold" behind the siding. This approach is what you refer to as "putting holes through the siding" but to them, it's just another day looking foraging for a meal.
To stop this behavior, you'll find several products we have listed in our WOODPECKER CONTROL article. The easisest device to employ would be our JUMPING SPIDER. When combined with BIRD TAPE, most woodpeckers can be scared away effectively. 4-THE-BIRDS GEL is another great product to employ. Woodpeckers will readily avoid treated areas for good once they encounter a little bit of this gooey gel.
Based on what you describe, it could be the woodpeckers landing on your home are in fact attempting to nest. This commonly is the case when they insist on "reopening" holes you close. To stop them for good, apply 4-The-Birds to the area after you fix it. Install some Jumping Spiders on either side of the chimney and I'm sure they'll be gone for good.
Here are direct links to the information and products listed above:
Carpenter Bee Article: http://www.carpenterbees.com/carpenter-bee-control
Carpenter Ant Article: http://www.carpenterants.com/carpenter-ant-control
Powderpost Beetle Article: http://www.powderpostbeetles.com/powderpost-beetle-control
Woodwasps: http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page1601.html
Boxelder Bugs: http://www.bugspray.com/articles98/boxelder.html
Asian Ladybugs: http://www.asianladybug.com/asian-lady-bug-control
Stinkbugs: http://www.bugspray.com/article/stinkbug.html
Woodpecker Control: http://www.woodpecker-control.com/woodpecker-control
Jumping Spider: http://www.woodpecker-control.com/woodpecker-control
Bird Tape: http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page547.html
4-The-Birds-Gel: http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page81.html
Filed under pecking by
I have a woodpecker that's been pecking at a tree in my yard. I just noticed there is now a slight hole in the bark but I don't think he's building a nest. I see 2-3 of these little holes where he's done this and now I'm worried he's going to kill the tree. Is there anything I can do to chase him away?
Woodpeckers feed on insects and foraging on trees is what they do to find food. Pecking is mostly associated with feeding though there are times when they'll peck to create a nest. Nest pecking is mostly confined to one location and commonly the location will get a larger and larger hole till it is capable of housing the adult ready to lay eggs. Food pecking in the same area will be more random and constantly changing which is what it sounds like is happening on your tree.
Unfortunately this behavior can kill a tree. Most every tree harbors insects of some sort and some can kill a tree. Combine the insects feeding with the Woodpecker pecking, and the tree's life will be diminished that much faster. You could treat the tree with some Ropel detailed in our on line article on Woodpecker Control. In the article you'll find Bird Tape which works well at keeping them away from a small area too.
I also suggest doing a good inspection of the tree to make sure it doesn't have some kind of insect infestation that needs to be treated. Common pests that can kill a tree include Carpenter Ants, Pine Borers and Termites. Woodpeckers will commonly feed on these pests and others and sometimes treating the source of food (the insects on the tree) can be the best long term remedy to the problem. Other detailed directions on how to get rid of most any pest can be found at www.bugspray.com
Here are direct links to the information and products mentioned above:
Ropel: http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page85.html
Woodpecker Control: http://www.woodpecker-control.com/woodpecker-control
Bird Tape: http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page547.html
Carpenter Ant Article: http://www.carpenterants.com/carpenter-ant-control
Pine Borer Article: http://www.bugspray.com/article/pinebark.html
Termite Article: http://www.termites-swarming.com/termite-control
Filed under trees by
