Symptoms
- Small to large round holes in wood siding, trim, or fascia
- Pecking sounds heard against the house, especially at dawn
- Holes often clustered in one area, sometimes near a corner
Likely causes
- CommonWoodpeckers foraging for insects in the woodHoles often indicate insects like carpenter bees or ants are already active in that wood.
- CommonTerritorial or mating drumming behaviorWoodpeckers sometimes peck loudly on resonant surfaces just to make noise, without seeking food.
- PossibleNesting cavity excavationA larger, deeper hole may be an attempt to create a nesting spot.
What to do
- Inspect the holes for signs of insect activity, like sawdust-like frass or actual insects, which the bird may be after.
- If insects are present, treat or have the wood treated for carpenter bees, ants, or other pests as the root cause.
- Fill smaller holes with exterior wood filler, sand smooth, and prime and paint to match.
- Hang reflective tape, wind spinners, or a fake predator decoy near the damaged area as a deterrent, moving them periodically so the bird doesn't get used to them.
- Consider netting or hardware cloth over a repeatedly targeted area as a physical barrier.
- Avoid harming or trapping woodpeckers, which are protected under federal law in the US; use deterrents and exclusion instead.
- Replace badly damaged boards if holes are large or numerous.
Tools and parts
- Putty knife
- Sandpaper
- Paintbrush
Exterior wood fillerSearch: “exterior wood filler”
Reflective bird deterrent tapeSearch: “reflective bird deterrent tape”
When to call a pro
Call a pest control company if carpenter bees or other wood-boring insects are the underlying draw, and a wildlife control professional for persistent woodpecker problems.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.