How to get rid of woodpeckers

It’s that time of year again, Spring is rolling in and the woodpeckers are migrating through Georgia, after all they are migratory birds! Urban Wildlife Control gets inundated with calls about these pesky birds beating up homes. As if the destructive behavior and the damage to your home wasn’t enough, they like to carry out this behavior in the wee hours of the morning. As mentioned in the woodpecker control page we talk a little about what attracts the woodpeckers to your home.

Well, its what attracts humans to restaurants, FOOD! An animal who’s food source is insects migrates to where the food is, The further south they go, the warmer the climate, the more abundant the food source is, hence the name “migratory bird”. As the birds start to move through the greater Atlanta area these birds like to peck on certain parts of homes where they know the can acquire a quick meal. Some of these favorite places are chimneys. A chimney made of synthetic stucco or wood are very susceptible to being attacked by woodpeckers.

Chimneys, are hibernating and breeding grounds for insects such as paper wasps, bees, ants and beetles. These bugs will typically nest under tree bark in the wild. In urban areas chimneys make excellent synthetic trees! Urban Wildlife Control also receives many calls during the spring. When woodpeckers have become attracted to your chimney in the spring or fall there is most likely a food source in the form of insects that may need to be identified and controlled. Most of these insects can be eliminated with a pressure duster by injecting the chimney chase with an insecticide such as deltamethrin.

Not just any wildlife control company can treat this bug problem. In order to take care of the woodpecker and bug problem you need a company that is licensed for wildlife control and pest contralto treat both problems effectively. The equipment involved is also very specialized. Standard pest control equipment used for treating a roach or ant problem in the living space will just not cut it. The chase inside the chimney is tall and large. Several ounces of insecticide should be put into the chase to eliminate these pesky bugs. After the woodpeckers food source is eliminated its a good idea to repair the damage caused by the bird as its an open invitation to another bird in the future. Whether its wood rot on a 5/4 board or a hole in the synthetic stucco, it should be repaired or replaced.