- Q.We recently completed a
house that features vertical T&G cedar siding,
but now my clients are complaining about woodpeckers
making holes in the siding. Are there any simple
techniques for dealing with this problem?
A.Bert Snyder of Palmetto
Exterminators in Charleston, S.C., responds:
If woodpeckers are boring holes in the siding, then
either the siding is harboring some type of
wood-boring insect that the woodpeckers are hunting
for food, or the woodpeckers are drumming on it to
establish territory or find a mate (this typically
happens in the spring).
To eliminate the food source, treat the siding
with an insecticide; you'll find several kinds at
your local hardware store or home-and-garden center
that should be effective against the kinds of
insects found in your area.
You should also be able to find woodpecker
repellents. Some formulations are sprayed on;
others are designed to be mixed in with paints or
stains, for longer-lasting protection.
In addition, a good sealer or coat of paint will
make the siding less attractive to both insects and
woodpeckers.
But whatever approach you choose, remember that
woodpeckers are protected by the Migratory Bird
Treaty Act; any control methods must not harm the
birds.