Woodpecker House Damage

Upon closer inspection I could see that the holes were effectively drilled into the wood. I also noticed many small dents around the opening of the drilled holes.

After speaking to my wife about my observations she mentioned hearing hammering sounds on the side of the house off and on during the previous week. Well, putting the pieces together, I quickly realized we were victims of woodpecker house damage.

In my particular situation, it was obvious the woodpecker was after carpenter bee larvae. I had seen the bees up near the drilled bargeboard over the summer and had not thought much about it. Apparently the carpenter bees had drilled into the back side of the bargeboard and laid their eggs.

I am unclear how the woodpecker new there was bee larvae in the wood, however he had a field day on the bargeboard. There are holes all up and down the bargeboard. I am probably going to be forced to replace the bargeboard, as the woodpecker house damage is quite severe in my case. If the woodpecker damage had been limited to a few holes, I would probably just try to get away with a wood filler or epoxy to plug the holes. When installing the new bargeboard, I will be sure to use lumber that has been primed on all sides.

Learn how to patch wood siding in this eBook.

From what I understand carpenter bees typically don’t drill holes into painted wood surfaces. I know from inspecting my bargeboard that it is unpainted on the back side, and thus probably why my home fell victim to the woodpecker.

Though I can repair the damage done, I still will need to prevent woodpeckers from making repeat visits, particularly now that they know my home is a food source. To start with I am going to apply an insecticide to all of the bargeboard and fascia board, as this is where the carpenter bees like to hang out. If I can prevent the carpenter bees from nesting in my house, I can eliminate the food source for the woodpeckers.

In addition to applying a insecticide to rid my home of carpenter bees, I also want to try to prevent the woodpeckers from stopping by my house. Woodpeckers are usually frightened off by loud clanging sounds. To do this, I am going to try a couple of reasonably loud wind chimes. I have one in particular that sounds like a buoy bell out in the ocean. I may also try hanging up some long aluminum strips.

The ornithology experts have suggested both these tactics are helpful in scaring off woodpeckers. So we shall see, and I will report back my findings next year.