How To Get Rid
of Woodpeckers Naturally

By Richard Worden

As their name suggests, woodpeckers love pecking on wood, and it doesn’t matter to them if it’s a tree trunk, a post, or your home’s wood siding. They drill holes that look unsightly and may cause extensive damage to your home if unnoticed and unaddressed. There are many ways to get rid of woodpeckers, but it is crucial to employ natural and safe methods so you won't harm these beautiful creatures. 

You can get rid of woodpeckers naturally by eliminating their source of food and shelter. Treat wood infested by insects and bugs, and make sure to rid your property of decaying wood. You can also use scare tactics, olfactory strategies, and preventive barriers as deterrent measures.

Almost all birds native to the US, including woodpeckers, are protected by federal law, so it is essential to deal with them humanely. In this article, we will talk about why they love hanging around your property in the first place and how to get rid of woodpeckers naturally—including effigies, unpleasant smells, scary sounds, and reflective materials. Let’s get started!

1. Eliminate Insect Activity That Attracts Woodpeckers

Like most wild animals, woodpeckers' top priorities are food and water. If there is woodpecker activity around your home, you may want to investigate if there is a structural dilemma—specifically, insect damage. Woodpeckers may drill holes into your wood sidings to get to the tasty treats, like insect larvae, carpenter bees, and grass bagworms. 

Holes drilled by woodpeckers looking for insects should be irregular and small. If you’ve detected insects, the best option is to get rid of these creepy crawlies, and you can be sure that woodpeckers will soon stop invading your home. Spray the area with insecticide. Use natural substances, such as neem oil, to eliminate bugs and consequently get rid of woodpeckers naturally. 

Calling an exterminator for help would be best if your efforts seem futile. Persistent damage to your wood sidings and walls can result in structural risks. Remember to inform the exterminator about your woodpecker issues so that they will apply the appropriate treatment measures. 

2. Treat Rotting Wood To Avoid Woodpecker Nests

Woodpeckers love building their nests in hollow spaces or cavities. If you have rotting wood around your home, these may pose as irresistibly attractive nesting spots for your feathered friends. One telltale sign that woodpeckers are trying to build nests is if the holes are more extensive and rounder than usual.

Eliminating rotting wood around your property is how to get rid of woodpeckers naturally. First and foremost, these are hazardous and may cause permanent and more severe damage to your home and may even cause harm to you and your loved ones. Call a professional for assistance so they can adequately assess your home concerning the extent of the damage.

3. Play Distress Calls To Frighten Woodpeckers Away

Imagine you’re a woodpecker startled by distress calls while busy pecking at some wood. Your senses are alerted, and you’re eager to try and help out a fellow woodpecker in need. But then, a hawk suddenly starts squawking—our eyes grow as big as saucers, and our feathers stand up on end. What's the best thing to do? Fly away as fast and as far away as you can!

Distress calls followed by predator calls will undoubtedly make woodpeckers dash away to safety. Go for those devices equipped with motion sensors—so the sounds are triggered to play at the most suitable times. Note that any movement may prompt the device within its radar—so this might work to scare away other animals, too. 

4. Station Predator Effigies Around Your Home

Woodpeckers are easily spooked, and owl effigies are particularly effective. Owls are among woodpeckers' predators, and they will recognize those large, penetrating eyes anywhere. Station owl effigies around your property, particularly in areas you typically see woodpecker activity. Try this tactic soon after you notice the first signs of woodpecker presence around your home. 

Make a mental note to move these visual deterrents around regularly. Otherwise, they may lose their usefulness. Bank on the element of surprise so that woodpeckers won’t get accustomed to them and dismiss them as harmless objects. 

Here's a helpful YouTube video that offers tips
on getting rid of woodpeckers from your house...

5. Invade the Woodpeckers’ Sense of Smell

Some woodpeckers, such as sapsuckers, love drilling wood to get to the delicious sap inside. The trees around your property may fall prey to these hungry birds, and it is up to you to address the woodpecker problem as soon as you can before the situation gets out of hand. 

Woodpeckers do not have an excellent sense of smell, so it is best to attack them with potent odors or scents unfamiliar to them. Strong odors are a great option when you seek how to get rid of woodpeckers naturally and make them feel uncomfortable enough to flee. On the other hand, strange smells will alert them of possible danger in their immediate surroundings. 

Here are some strong scents you can utilize to get rid of woodpeckers naturally: 

• Peppermint 
• Basil
• Cinnamon
• Rosemary
• Lavender
• Citronella
• Onion
• Garlic

To get rid of woodpeckers naturally, you can spray essential oils—such as peppermint and lavender—on affected areas. Always spray regularly until the woodpeckers have entirely disappeared since these scents quickly dissipate. 

You can also chop up sprigs of rosemary or basil leaves, place the bits in cheesecloth bags, and hang them in areas frequented by woodpeckers. Do the same with chopped-up raw onions and garlic. The penetrating odors will undoubtedly confuse and upset woodpeckers enough to send them fluttering away. 

6. Hang Reflective Objects To Deter Woodpeckers

Shiny streamers, strips of aluminum foil, reflective tape, and brightly-designed Mylar balloons are great weapons to get rid of woodpeckers naturally. Position them in strategic spots around your property where you usually observe woodpecker behavior. 

Shiny, reflective objects work by making these curious creatures think that another bird has already claimed the site as their own. They will sense the danger of trespassing into someone else’s territory, so they will move away and search for a safer, unclaimed area.

I recommend the BRITENWAY Reflective Scare Tape from Amazon.com. This tape is super easy to install, and it is environmentally friendly.

7. Plug the Holes That Attract Woodpeckers

If you’ve already found little holes drilled into your sidings, walls, or trees, discourage those pesky woodpeckers from returning to finish the job by sealing the crevices with caulk or putty. If you see any holes more extensive than the others, ensure there aren't any eggs or birds nesting inside. 

If any of these holes currently serve as a nest for a woodpecker family, you might have to wait until after the young ones have left home. Consider calling a professional for help and advice on this situation's best course of action. 

Avoid using sticky repellents made up of oils, waxes, and resins. These may injure birds and may even have fatal consequences for them. Putty and caulk are safe to use around woodpeckers because they fill in holes and can even be covered with paint to look like the surrounding surface. They won’t harm the woodpeckers in any way. 

When the woodpeckers come back and find their handiwork filled in and ruined, they might fly off to search for other areas to feed. If they decide to peck away within the exact location and create new holes—plug these again with putty. Soon, the woodpeckers will get frustrated and fly off, searching for places where they can get to work without any disturbances. 

8. Use Plant Nettings To Deter Woodpeckers

It's an excellent plan to cover woodpecker-affected areas with sturdy, top-quality plant nettings. Secure them to overhanging eaves to cover our walls and sidings. These work by making the site inaccessible to woodpeckers. They will attempt to get through the netting barrier, but once they realize their efforts are futile, they will give up and look for other places to drill.

Ensure the nettings are taut and secured at least 3 inches (7.62 cm) away from the siding or wall surface. This position prevents woodpeckers from pecking through the material and accessing the holes they’ve already begun to drill. Ensure you close the sides securely—so the woodpeckers don’t get trapped between your home and the nettings. 

How To Get Rid Of Woodpeckers Naturally...
Conclusion

Woodpeckers may seem like intrusive creatures that may feel overwhelming to deter. They can cause considerable property damage and other safety risks to your home. However, these feathered beauties are skittish and easily spooked. 

It is crucial to get rid of them naturally, not only because they are beautiful birds but also because they are a protected species and offer various benefits in nature. Drive them away from your property through nontoxic and humane ways.

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Hi! I'm Richard Worden, the author and founder of We Know Birds.

Over 20 years ago I developed a keen interest in birds and birdwatching, and it has been my passion ever since. I am committed to spreading useful knowledge about birds to others so we might all enjoy them to the fullest.

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