There are seven species of woodpeckers in Missouri. The most common are the red-bellied and downy species. The largest woodpecker in Missouri is the pileated woodpecker which lives near old-growth timbers. Most people experiencing woodpecker damage live in or within half a mile of a wooded area containing large hardwood trees. As more people and housing developments move into wooded areas, woodpecker damage problems will likely increase.
Woodpecker Drumming - First Sign of a Woodpecker
A woodpecker’s rhythmic pecking is called drumming. Most people correctly assume drumming is to help find food. Woodpeckers drill holes with their beaks in wooden structures for several reasons.
A woodpecker taps on a tree, listens for movement of insects under the bark, and drills only when it hears sound inside. This behavior saves the bird the effort of drilling into numerous trees only to find them empty.
If the woodpeckers are drilling many small holes, the siding is probably infested with insects that appeal to woodpecker appetites. Similarly, a woodpecker taps on trees to find one suitable for nesting.
Woodpeckers also drill large holes in wood siding for nests. Woodpeckers use their bills to chisel through or under bark to chisel out nesting and night-roosting cavities.
Drumming also makes their presence known. They instinctively make their noise on trees, branches, drain spouts, utility poles, streetlights, TV antennas, silos and other structures that resonate loudly. This drumming establishes their territory, similar to most other birds’ singing, and may also attract a mate, which is why drumming activity is at its highest in spring.
Woodpeckers can cause various problems for homeowners in Columbia.
Common Woodpecker Problems for Homeowners
Property Damage: Woodpeckers drum on surfaces, including siding, trim, and wooden structures. This persistent drumming can cause damage to the wood, creating holes, and weakening the structural integrity of the affected areas.
Noise Disturbance: The constant drumming and tapping made by woodpeckers can be loud and disruptive, especially if they peck near bedrooms.
Nesting: Woodpeckers sometimes choose to build their nests in houses, particularly in the rotted or damaged wood siding. This can lead to further damage and potential problems with infestations of other pests.
Wildlife Conflicts: Woodpeckers may compete with other cavity-nesting birds for limited nesting sites, which can escalate territorial disputes and cause problems for other bird species in the area.
Attracting More Pests: The holes created by woodpeckers can attract insects, such as termites and ants, which may then infest the damaged wood. Mice, rats, squirrels, and snakes can use woodpecker holes to get into your attic and wall spaces.
Woodpecker Control from Critter Control of Missouri
Proper bird control does not rely on traps. Woodpeckers are a protected species so we use an integrated approach of deterrents and repellents to encourage the woodpecker to fly away. Our ongoing support will keep woodpeckers away from your home and repair any damage done.
Visual Deterrents: Hanging shiny objects like reflective tape, CDs, or Mylar balloons near problem areas can create a visual deterrent. The movement and reflections tend to intimidate woodpeckers. Additionally, you can try installing scarecrow decoys or eye balloons with fake predator eyes.
Auditory Deterrents: Using sounds that mimic woodpecker distress calls or predator calls can scare away woodpeckers. You can find recordings of these sounds online or use a wind chime or wind spinner to create noise and vibrations that discourage woodpeckers.
Physical Barriers: You can cover the affected areas with bird netting or hardware cloth, ensuring that the mesh is at least 2 inches away from the surface to prevent the woodpeckers from accessing the wood.
Taste repellents: Woodpecker repellent sprays specifically designed to deter woodpeckers with bitter flavors. These sprays often use a combination of substances, garlic or onion extracts, capiscian and other natural ingredients to discourage woodpeckers from pecking on wood.
Food Source Removal: Woodpeckers are attracted to homes with insect problems. Ensuring that your house is well-maintained and free from pests like termites or carpenter ants can help reduce woodpecker activity.
Remember, woodpeckers are protected birds, so it's important to use humane methods that do not harm them or violate any regulations. If the DIY methods don't work, it may be advisable to consult with a wildlife professional or pest control expert to address the issue effectively.
Testimonials
This company has been great. The technician Kensi was very through and checked everywhere to make sure all access points were found. After a skunk was found in the trap on a Saturday morning they came to pick it up very quickly.
Michael was super friendly and knowledgeable. He checked my entire house and recommended and installed the solution within an hour.
We are under contract with your company and so far they are doing a fine job. Many thanks.
Excellent work environment full of presence of God. Professional and dedicated staff. A good place if you want to have your children in a place where Christian values are protected and encouraged.
Great company and amazing service, the staff is extremely knowledgeable and friendly! Thank you to the staff and especially to Bubba for taking care of my property and giving it that "personal touch" to rid and maintain it from pests and bugs! Appreciate you guys and look forward to continuing business together!
Thank you!
So when I went to have my insulation replaced I figured out that I had a critter problem that was beyond anything I was aware of. Not wanting to waste time I decided to call a professional and these guys were really good from day one. From the gentleman who gave the estimate to both of the guys that came out and did the work there was great communication and they were very effective at what they did. One little thing got missed and all it took was one text message and somebody was out the next day to take care of it. They always text me when they're on their way or going to be at the house and they let me know what they found along with photographs. My first thought when they gave me the quote was wow that was a lot of money and I didn't want to spend that much and now that I've had them do the service I feel like it's worth every penny and it's actually pretty damn reasonable considering the number of times that they come out and all the things that they do take care of.
I had an issue with squirrels getting into a small section of roofing without access from the attic or inside of the home. Critter control was a huge help in solving the issue, especially thanks to Brandon and Nate. Ended up catching 3 squirrels living in the roof plus they seal the entrance point after all is said and done. I would absolutely recommend critter control, Brandon and Nate did a stellar job.
Dominick was very friendly and he consistently put on his shoe covers each time he entered the house. He looked over every inch of the storage room where we thought the animal was and did a walk around the yard to see if there was evidence of entry. He was very thorough. He did not find any animal at that time. He said he would leave a trap and review the outside area of the house over the next week. It was the next day that the smell in our storage room indicated that the animal had died. We followed the small and discovered a dead bird in an open storage bin. I would highly recommend Dominick for 'Critter Control'.
Thank you,
Valerie
Great explanations regarding findings, friendly, quality work! Each encounter with their tech has been professional and educational.
your representative (Dominic) was very friendly and quickly removed the dying raccoon from our outdoor window-well. He also shared information with us regarding raccoons on their behavior, what they liked/disliked, and provided information on how to disinfect the area the raccoon had been trapped in for a couple of days. I'd rate him 9 stars if I could. -pja