Woodpeckers are beautiful birds, but they can be a big problem if they start pecking around your home. Their constant drumming might sound cute at first, but if you’ve ever found holes in your wooden siding, trees, or fence posts, you know it’s not fun. They can cause damage to wood, scare off other birds, and even disturb your sleep early in the morning.
The good news is that you can scare woodpeckers away without hurting them. These birds are protected by law in many places, so it’s important to use safe and gentle methods. This article shares six smart ways to keep woodpeckers out of your yard and off your house—using tools, scents, sounds, and small changes in your environment.
Let’s explore how to keep your home safe while keeping woodpeckers happy and alive in nature.
1. Hang Shiny and Reflective Objects
Woodpeckers don’t like flashing light or sudden movements. When they see shiny objects moving in the wind, it confuses and scares them. This is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to keep woodpeckers away.
Items that work well include:
- Old CDs or DVDs
- Reflective bird tape (also called scare tape)
- Aluminum pie plates
- Tinfoil strips
- Mylar balloons
- Silver pinwheels
How to use them:
Tie or hang these objects near the areas where the woodpeckers are pecking. For example, hang shiny tape along the edge of your roof or trees. The sunlight bouncing off these surfaces will make the area less inviting.
You can also hang several together to make them spin and flash in the wind. Just make sure they can move freely. Windy days make this method even more effective.
Bonus Tip: Move or switch out the shiny objects every few days so the birds don’t get used to them.
2. Use Motion and Sound to Startle Them
Woodpeckers don’t like surprises. Loud noises, quick movements, or sprays of water can send them flying. Motion-activated tools work great for scaring them off without causing harm.
Tools you can try:
- Motion-activated sprinklers: These spray water when something moves nearby. The sudden splash is harmless but scary to birds.
- Ultrasonic bird repellents: These devices make high-pitched noises that people can’t hear, but birds can.
- Wind chimes and bells: The sound and motion can keep birds away, especially when hung in groups.
- Predator calls or loud noises: Some devices make hawk calls or scary sounds on a timer.
How to use them:
Place your noise or motion tools close to where the woodpeckers usually peck. For example, if a woodpecker is tapping on your siding, place a sprinkler or noise box nearby. You might need to test a few different options to see what works best in your yard.
3. Put Up Fake Predators
Just like people, birds want to feel safe. Woodpeckers are naturally afraid of predators like hawks, owls, and snakes. If they think a predator is nearby, they’ll stay away.
Fake predators you can buy:
- Plastic owls (with moving heads if possible)
- Hawk decoys
- Rubber snakes
- Large cat statues or fake crows
How to use them:
Place these decoys near where the woodpeckers are causing trouble—on your roof, along fences, in trees, or on window ledges. For best results, move them every few days. If the decoy always stays in the same place, the birds may realize it’s fake.
Some people even tie small streamers to the owl or snake to make it move in the wind. The more lifelike it looks, the better.
4. Block Their Favorite Pecking Spots
Woodpeckers often return to the same spot over and over. If they find a soft wood panel or tree trunk they like, they’ll keep pecking it. To stop this, you need to cover or block the area.
Ways to block pecking spots:
- Bird netting: Stretch netting over the side of your house or tree. This keeps the bird from landing.
- Plastic sheeting or tarp: Cover walls or fences temporarily with something slippery and hard to grip.
- Metal flashing: Nail metal plates or strips over the damaged area. Woodpeckers don’t like the feel or sound of metal.
- Foam insulation or filler: If a woodpecker has made a hole, fill it up so bugs don’t move in—and so the bird stops visiting.
Why it works:
If the bird can’t reach its favorite pecking spot or if the surface feels strange under its feet, it will usually go somewhere else. Be sure to repair any holes before covering the area to prevent further damage.
5. Remove Things That Attract Them
Sometimes, the best way to stop woodpeckers is to give them fewer reasons to visit. If your home is full of tasty bugs or bird feeders, that might be why the woodpeckers are stopping by.
Here’s how to make your yard less inviting:
- Check for insects: Look for signs of carpenter ants, termites, or beetles in your siding or trees. Woodpeckers love these bugs.
- Repair rotten wood: Fix soft or cracked areas where bugs hide and birds peck.
- Stop feeding suet: Suet feeders are great for winter birds, but they can also attract woodpeckers. Try taking them down for a while.
- Clean up fallen fruit or seeds: Don’t leave food scraps in the yard.
Good to know:
Once the food source is gone, the birds will look for another place to hunt or eat.
6. Try Bird-Safe Sprays and Smells
Some smells and tastes are unpleasant to woodpeckers, even though we might not notice them. There are special sprays you can buy that keep birds away safely.
Types of repellents:
- Bird repellent sprays: These are made from natural oils, like peppermint or garlic. They’re safe for people and pets but smell bad to birds.
- Sticky gels: These are clear gels that go on wood or trim. Birds don’t like the feel and usually don’t come back.
- Homemade sprays: Mix water with a bit of vinegar or peppermint oil and spray on trees or wood panels.
How to use:
Spray the affected area regularly, especially after rain. Always read labels before using a store-bought product to make sure it’s safe for birds, pets, and your home.
Woodpeckers are interesting and helpful birds in the wild. They eat bugs, clean up dying trees, and help spread seeds. But when they get too close to your home, it’s okay to ask them to leave—just do it gently.
By using shiny objects, fake predators, motion tools, and a few smart changes to your yard, you can protect your home without hurting the birds. Try one or two ideas at a time and see what works best in your space.
