How to Stop Woodpeckers from Damaging Your Home
How to Stop Woodpeckers from Damaging Your Home – Woodpecker Control & Nest Removal Tips
If you’ve noticed loud tapping sounds, fresh holes in your fascia, or even birds nesting in your siding or roofline, you may have a woodpecker problem. These birds don’t just annoy homeowners—they can cause serious damage to wood siding, eaves, soffits, and peaks. At Gold Country Wildlife Control, we offer professional woodpecker deterrent and repair services to help protect homes in Northern California from long-term damage.
Why Woodpeckers Target Your Home
Woodpeckers drum on surfaces for three main reasons:
Territorial signaling
Nesting
Searching for insects
Once they’ve chosen your home, the damage adds up fast. Common signs include:
1” to 2” round holes in siding or fascia
Droppings below damaged areas
Increased bird activity near peaks and soffits
Noise early in the morning or throughout the day
Step 1: Remove Nests and Patch Existing Damage
If a woodpecker has already made a hole and begun nesting, the first step is removal. Once birds have moved out or been excluded humanely, we patch the holes using durable materials that prevent future pecking.
Some homeowners try to fill holes with foam or caulk, but persistent birds will often dig right back through. We use sheet metal, painted to blend over large holes, and over smaller holes we use wood filler.One of the most effective long-term strategies is to install metal sheeting or flashing along:
Fascia boards
Soffits
Roof peaks
Previously damaged spots
Step 2: Clean Up to Eliminate Pheromones
Birds return to familiar nesting areas, in part due to lingering pheromones. That’s why we always recommend thorough cleaning after removing woodpecker nests and feces. Sanitizing the area removes scent markers that attract other birds to the same site.
Step 3: Use Visual and Sensory Disruption
To stop the behavior altogether, we combine several deterrent strategies:
1. Intimidator Woodpecker Deterrents
These specialized devices disrupt the general area, making it less comfortable and familiar to the birds. They're especially useful in open rooflines or exposed peaks.
2. Optical Gel Discs
Optical gel is a non-toxic, multi-sensory deterrent that:
Looks like fire to birds
Smells unpleasant
Feels sticky to touch
We place these near pecking damage, active holes, nesting spots, roof peaks, and potential new areas where woodpeckers are likely to go next. This convinces the bird to move on naturally without harming it.
Don’t Wait Until the Damage Gets Worse
Woodpecker damage is more than cosmetic. It can allow water into your walls, attract insects, and even lead to expensive rot or structural repair. Our team at Gold Country Wildlife Control is experienced in woodpecker nest removal, hole repair, and prevention using metal and modern deterrent technology.
We proudly serve Nevada, Placer, and El Dorado Counties, including Grass Valley, Nevada City, and Truckee, with fast, humane bird control services.
