How to Stop Woodpecker Damage on Your Home — Prevention, Repairs, and Depredation Options
Woodpeckers are a beautiful part of Ohio’s wildlife, but when they mistake your home for a buffet or a drum set, the results can be frustrating and costly. Homes across Cincinnati—especially in wooded neighborhoods like Hyde Park, Mt. Lookout, and Anderson—regularly experience woodpecker damage ranging from small drumming holes to significant siding destruction.
This guide explains why woodpeckers target homes, how to prevent damage, how to remove insect-infested wood, which hazing/deterrent techniques work best, and what depredation options exist if non-lethal solutions fail.
Why Woodpeckers Damage Homes
Woodpeckers typically attack homes for one of three reasons: feeding, drumming, or nesting. Identifying the cause helps determine the best solution.
1. Feeding on Insects
The most common cause is insect activity inside wood or siding. Woodpeckers can hear movements and detect larvae, carpenter bee tunnels, ants, beetles, or soft rotting wood. Damage from feeding often appears as rough, elongated holes or peeled siding.
2. Drumming for Territory
Springtime territorial drumming creates shallow, clustered holes. Birds choose resonant materials—cedar siding, aluminum trim, chimney caps, gutters, and fascia boards.
3. Nest Excavation
Larger, round holes (golf-ball size or greater) may indicate a woodpecker attempting to excavate a nesting cavity. This can become a major structural concern if left untreated.
Signs of Woodpecker Damage
Rapid pecking or drumming noises
Small round holes, deeper excavation holes, or large rough patches
Wood chips or dust beneath the damage
Birds returning to the same spot repeatedly
Evidence of insect activity nearby
Remove Insect-Infested Wood
Before any deterrent will work, the attractant must be removed. If there are insects inside the structure, woodpeckers will continue to return.
Inspecting the Area
Look for:
Carpenter bee holes and sawdust
Ant trails
Moist or softened wood
Boring beetle tunnels
Frass or wood dust
A wildlife technician or exterminator can help confirm insect activity.
Replace or Repair the Infested Wood
At Huntsman Wildlife, we typically:
Remove and replace insect-damaged boards
With our referral partner pest control companies, treat carpenter bee galleries
Patch smaller holes with exterior-grade filler
Seal and caulk surrounding gaps
Fix Moisture Issues
Moisture attracts insects, which attract woodpeckers. Address:
Leaking gutters
Damaged flashing
Rotted trim
Improper siding seams
Vent gaps
Water-damaged soffits
Effective Hazing & Deterrent Techniques
Woodpeckers are territorial and persistent. The most successful strategy is layered, consistent hazing with visual, auditory, and physical deterrents.
Visual Deterrents
Install movement-based, reflective items close to the damaged area. We use professional grade visual deterrents, but some DIY methods that have shown some success in the past are:
Mylar flash tape or streamers
Reflective ornaments or old CDs
Holographic pinwheels
Predator-eye balloons
These must be placed within 12–18 inches above the hole and in areas within visual range of the birds.
Sound Deterrents
Useful in specific areas or early in the behavior cycle:
Clapping, banging metal, or knocking when the bird appears
Motion-activated sound devices (best for detached garages or sheds)
Physical Exclusion
This is the most reliable prevention method:
Metal flashing temporarily over damaged wood
Hardware cloth or lightweight bird netting spaced 2–3 inches off the wall
Temporary acrylic panels or plastic sheeting over siding
These prevent access long enough for the bird to give up the territory.
Modify Nearby Habitat
Reduce attractants around the property:
Remove dead trees/snags near the home
Manage insect issues in landscaping
Place a suet feeder far from the home as a diversion (optional strategy)
Predator Decoys
Owls, hawks, or fake snakes can help only when moved frequently (2-3 times a day). Birds learn quickly when a decoy never changes position.
Persistent Hazing
Most woodpeckers stop within several days of active, consistent deterrence. The key is repetition: daily hazing for at least a week.
Long-Term Prevention
Seal & Paint the Area
Fresh primer and exterior paint make the repaired surface less appealing.
Consider Alternative Materials
If one section of siding repeatedly attracts birds, consider upgrading to:
Fiber cement
Brick veneer
Metal or PVC trim
Composite boards
These materials resist both insects and pecking.
Schedule Annual Wildlife Inspections
Woodpecker activity is often a sign of hidden issues (insects, moisture, decay). A yearly inspection keeps surprise repairs to a minimum.
Depredation Options When Nothing Else Works
Woodpeckers in Ohio are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This means:
No trapping, injuring, poisoning, or killing
No nest or egg removal
No lethal control without a federal permit
If significant property damage continues after multiple non-lethal attempts, homeowners may qualify for a USFWS depredation permit.
How Depredation Permits Work
A permit may be issued when:
Damage is documented and significant
Non-lethal deterrents were attempted and recorded
A wildlife professional submits evidence
The homeowner demonstrates financial harm or structural threat
Huntsman Wildlife can assist in guiding you through this process if it becomes necessary.
When to Call a Professional
Contact a wildlife specialist if:
A woodpecker returns daily
Damage worsens or spreads
You suspect insects in the wall or trim
Holes appear near attic spaces, vents, or soffits
Exclusion or hazing isn’t resolving the problem
A professional will address both the root cause (insects, moisture, damaged wood) and the behavior (the woodpecker itself).
Protect Your Home From Woodpecker Damage Today
Woodpecker damage can escalate quickly, especially when insects or rotting wood are present. Huntsman Wildlife provides inspection, hazing, repairs, exclusion, insect-damaged wood replacement, and guidance on legal options when needed.
Contact Huntsman Wildlife today for a professional woodpecker assessment and long-term prevention plan.
Your home stays safer—and quieter—when experts handle the wildlife.