Facts & Information
What are Woodpeckers?
Eight species of woodpeckers can be found in Wisconsin. Woodpeckers are well-known for their habit of drilling holes into trees, searching for food, and forming nests. They love to eat beetle grubs, ants, grasshoppers, and other insects. They have beautiful plumage that features black, brown, white, and red patterns. Woodpeckers range between 6 to 15 inches in length and have one or two backward-pointing claws that allow the birds to easily climb structures.
Why Do I Have Them?
Homes near wooded areas are most at risk of woodpecker problems. Woodpeckers peck at trees and the siding, trim, and eaves of buildings. There are four reasons why a woodpecker hammers on your house. It makes a satisfyingly loud noise to proclaim its territory and attract a mate. It wants to build a nest, store food, and feed on insects living in the siding.
Why Should I Be Concerned?
Woodpeckers cause extensive property damage by drilling holes in wood siding, costing homeowners hundreds or even thousands of dollars in repairs. Bird nests may also harbor harmful parasites like ticks, mites, and fleas.
Treatment & Control
How Do I Get Rid of Woodpeckers?
Woodpeckers are protected under the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This law makes it illegal to harm geese and their nests and eggs without permission from the U.S. Fish and Wilde Service. Our bird control specialists have the proper skills and certifications to eliminate woodpecker problems. Our professionals employ humane removal techniques to deter or remove these problematic birds.
How Do I Keep Woodpeckers Off My Property?
Preventing woodpeckers from drilling at your home can be a difficult task; however, you can take a few steps to help stop them. Installing deterrents, netting, and predator decoys may help limit woodpecker damage.
Flashers / Deterrents
The first option to control woodpeckers is by utilizing visual deterrents, such as flashers, reflective tape, or predator decoys. Woodpeckers don’t like shiny objects. Our technicians will install reflective flashers around their holes and problems to deter them from returning to those areas.
Lethal Trapping
If flashers prove ineffective, the second option is lethal trapping. Homeowners must contact the Wisconsin DNR for a “Woodpecker Permit.” Call Mike Jones at 920-324-4514 to obtain a permit to allow Advanced Wildlife and Pest Control to trap woodpeckers. Woodpeckers are a protected species, so we cannot trap them without a permit or first trying deterrents.