So I have this woodpecker pecking the siding of my home (T1-11). He's done some damage and I need some ideas to make it stop. Actually took the .22 out this evening to stop him the easy way but I didn't take the shot due to his positioning to other houses. Then I came back inside and did a little research and now see they are federally protected. What the heck is that crap? Any ideas? I will try a few things to deter this behavior but I still may resort to shooting this little bastard. I will NOT have him destroying my home.
Don't tell me anything..... but shoot the sucker and be done with it. Hell, I watched them knock down a Japanese Larch my brother planted 55 years ago. They can do some damage. Why he picked your house I don't know unless you're infested with bugs or lady bugs or something he likes to eat. Spray the house down with insecticide and see if that takes care of the problem.
Yeah..shooting him is not out of the question. I just won't tell. :D I do wonder why he chose my house though. The neighbors down the road just painted their wood sided house a different color and now they have the same problem. They never did before. So that gives me hope that my house is not infested with insects...maybe he just likes the color. I don't know. Next year I may just go ahead and re-side the house anyway. I'm gonna need a project anyway. :D
I had a similar problem a few years ago. The woodpeckers were after the grit that came off of the asphalt roofing. A quick application of lead poisoning [.22] took care of the problem. What the conservation dept don't know won't bother them.
As a carpenter I have seen this before. They are going after something behind the boards. They dont just peck holes for nothing, they are trying to feed. You may have some kind of insect problem. Solve that and they'll go away. Could be Ants or more commonly carpenter bees/woodboring bees.
Thanks for the suggestions guys. How do I get rid of insects that may be living in the walls of my home? Really hoping that's not the problem.
This man knows it all when it comes to these kinds of things... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSHYP3iMGIA Be sure to check out part 2 also... :D
I'd spray something at the foundation around the perimeter of the house. I'd also look around the area you've been seeing Woody and look for any signs of bugs. If you find any holes, including Woodies I'd find a spray that wont stain your t1-11. Good luck.
I know color plays a part in wasps. Wasps will not build a nest on a light blue house. Not sure about woodpeckers tho..
The Woodpeckers were here before we were..... :D Sorry, I have this mental imagine that came to my mind when I read the title.... "Hello, Pinnocchio, I need your help..... " :D I agree that the woodpeckers are likely looking for a food source. I'd be more likely to believe ants or smaller insect vs. wood-boring bees, since the bees leave some BIG HOLES!!! In the overall realm, as much as you may hate to hear it, most carpenters/construction workers wouldn't have T-11 siding on the outside of their homes. I'd check to make sure it's structurally sound, and look into putting on some vinyl siding, and see if you can land a tax break for making your home more energy efficient....
The good thing with t1-11 is you can tear out the sheet thats been damaged, see whats going on behind it, throw up another sheet, Prime and paint. In a day by yourself. BTW All wood T1-11 is not a bad siding by any means! As long as it isn't that paper faced crap or anything less than 5/8. Typically it is used on sheds, but I have worked on nice homes with T1-11 and they still look good years later. Finch, I think you have a few options. You can confront any bug problem by spraying around your foundation or you can call in a pro. Then as far as repairs you could fill any small holes with an exterior vinyl spackle and paint or if the holes are too large you can replace the sheets. I would consider picking up a plastic owl and hang that thing in the eve in the area hes been after. That'll keep him away.
Yeah...the T1-11 is in decent shape to be a tad over 30 years old. I do plan on re-siding my house though. I may go the vinyl route or hardy board. Thinking I will try an owl and also spray for insects. My house was full today (in-laws) while I was out hunting...they never heard him. Maybe he was bothering someone else today.
Hey, I dont know if you have any experience with Hardy boards but I've done several large commercial jobs with that stuff and I do NOT recommend it. Vinyl is easier to repair and replace, plus I think it looks better. Hardy has to be stripped off all the way to get to any damaged or blemished area. And it chips and scratches very easily. I especially hate the fact that if the paint gets scratched or a board chips, it will absorb water and paint will start peeling. It kinda bubbles out. It needs to be 2 inches above any roofs so if you have any dormers you will need to copper flash them and leave the siding up 2 inches leaving a copper reveal 2 inches tall. Looks stupid. The cuts aren't concealed with j-channel they are butted to corners and trim boards around windows and doors and then caulked and painted. IMO big $ for crap.
If you want to kill something small like this and don't want your neighbors knowing about it, just buy a pellet gun or something like that. You can get some pretty good ones off amazon.com for cheap, and they should work fine.
Owl Decoy and insecticides is the responsible answer. These are the fun answer, when safely practicing the SSS method of home and yard control.
