CritterChatter™ Blog
Woodpeckers' Drumming Cause year-round Damage
Woodpeckers can be considered many things – beautiful, intriguing, loud, pestering, etc. And at Critter Control in Des Moines, we receive calls about woodpeckers fairly often.
There are over 200 species of woodpeckers throughout the world, 22 in the United States and 10 reported species in Iowa; including red-headed, red-bellied, downy, hairy, pileated and yellow-bellied sapsucker. Most of these species have been spotted in Des Moines all-year round, meaning that while it's cold and snowing woodpeckers are still drumming at trees and sides of homes.
Woodpeckers are most commonly known for their "pecking" or drumming which can be both damaging – to trees and homes – and loud. A woodpecker’s bill is made of strong bone, giving the bill chisel-like capabilities. This, along with the bills ability to distribute the shock of pecking throughout the skull as a shock absorber, gives the woodpecker uncanny abilities to drum with little effort.
The woodpecker pecks for many reasons. Food is one – their pecking creates holes in trees or home siding that may be harboring insects. Their long tongues are able to stretch into the hole to retrieve food with their sticky saliva. Drumming/Pecking is also a territorial sign, comparable to other birds' singing, or the pecking could just be for play between feedings.
All Iowa woodpeckers nest in tree cavities (or homes that offer the same protection as trees). While they do prefer trees, it is possible they might create a nesting hole in the side of a home. And though the drumming can be annoying, holes can create a more serious problem for homeowners.
It's important for all homeowners who are having problems with woodpeckers to remember that they are protected by federal laws. So, for any time woodpeckers are involved and are already causing damage, professional animal or bird control specialists should be contacted. Our specialists at Critter Control use repellents and deterrents to protect homes and trees.
For prevention, there are a few things homeowners can do to protect against woodpecker damage. Aluminum foil hanging strips or pinwheels can detract woodpeckers because of the noise and movement. Sticky repellents like Roost-no-More on trees will also detract woodpeckers from continuing to drum specific areas.
Being a year-round bird in the Des Moines area, it's important for homeowners to keep their eyes and ears aware for potential woodpecker damage to homes and trees. Our bird specialists are ready to safely and effectively protect your property prevent against any future damage that may occur from woodpeckers.
