FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Woody Woodpecker

brace | Posted in General Discussion on May 12, 2009 08:23am

Howdy All,

Anyone out there have Woodpeckers beat holes in Dry-Vit?
My customers house is under attack by these little flying fowls, About fifteen different Holes.
Any help on how to keep the birds away?

Thank You

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. User avater
    McDesign | May 12, 2009 11:09pm | #1

    I'm thinking maybe some type of reactive armor, like military tanks and troop carriers have.  The best way to defeat explosively-formed penetrators is to explode back at them, and disturb their stand-off distance.

    Just battin' ideas around.

     

    Forrest

    1. reinvent | May 13, 2009 02:09pm | #8

      Do you also have the same car alarm as James Bond did in the 'Spy who loved me'

      1. User avater
        McDesign | May 13, 2009 02:43pm | #9

        No - I have little stickers on the windows that say This Car is Protected By a Passive Alarm System.  If you break in the electronic voice says, "Oh, leave me alone - really - I wouldn't be any good.  No - oh, hell, do whatever".

        No break-ins so far.

         

        Forrest

        1. brace | May 13, 2009 03:33pm | #10

          Thanks for the in put. I will try the suet and see what happens.
          Shooting the little fiendish fowls is not good, as home owner will miss and just put more holes in dry vitThanks again

    2. User avater
      Huck | May 13, 2009 06:25pm | #12

      maybe some type of reactive armor

      your brain is dangerous, and should be restricted"...craftsmanship is first & foremost an expression of the human spirit." - P. Korn

      bakersfieldremodel.com

  2. webted | May 12, 2009 11:45pm | #2

    Wait for summer. It's a spring thing.

    As an long-time green weenie Audubon member, let me be the first to say that most of the woodpeckers are particularly dumb birds. While a crow might be frustratingly clever in resisting "training" attempts, a woodpecker is likely to be frustratingly stupid in resisting your attempts.

    That said, some folks have marginal success hanging up "wind chimes" of mylar strips, or even CD's (too bad AOL doesn't send out 30 a month anymore...) at the site of attack to distract them. If it's prospective nest building, it might work.

    Unfortunately, after they've knocked a bunch of holes in the stucco, the subsequent bug infestation is going to make for some nice woodpecker smorgasborgs down the road... Then they'll have a whole new reason to be rattling away at the siding.

    I had a Flicker that used to pound the metal chimney flue every morning around 4:30am. The chimney was centered on the floor plan, and it sounded like a freaking fire alarm... Fortunately, his impressive efforts must have led to some hot bird-on-bird action: within a week or two it stopped. It took another week for me to learn how to sleep until morning again. I kept waking up at 4:00am cringing in anticipation...

    Please don't shoot them. They probably don't taste good, and you could get in trouble. And they're pretty. Just dumb. Think of them as the fashion models of the bird world.

    But you might want to check just to make sure their aren't any bugs up in those walls already. They're smart about one thing: eating bugs.

    -t

    1. Shep | May 13, 2009 02:16am | #4

      "hot bird on bird action"

      Yeah, my dad had one for a while who would rap on the gutter right outside his bedroom window at first dawn. But i don't know if that one ever got lucky.

      1. Treetalk | May 13, 2009 02:32am | #5

        Get one of those carbide cannons they use for crows in corn fields. They'll drive the Peckers and the nieghbors away.

        Dont do the fake owl thing.House i did out of cedar had flickers pecking on it and the owners stuck a fake owl on a lil shelf on the wall.The flickers thought it was a great place to to shelter the entrance to thier new home they excavated under it.

    2. florida | May 13, 2009 05:39am | #6

      "marginal sucess" That means they don't work at all, ever. But then again I don't know of anything that does. I had the manager of a state wildlife agency ask me to shoot the ones that constantly pecked holes in his office.

    3. User avater
      pixelfixel | May 13, 2009 06:42pm | #13

      I have a woodpecker that comes to peck on my metal flue for the past 3 years now. Luckily for me he wasn't such an early riser. The 1st time he did it I was running around my basement wondering what the hell was wrong with my pipes! "Umm there seems to be something very wrong with our furnace-and it's off!" I'll never forget that day.

    4. deskguy | May 14, 2009 12:16am | #14

      I got woodpeckers all over the place.  Had one on the gutter last week right outside the window 5:30 am.  went downstairs, outside, hose was right below him.  He let me reach down, turn it on and start spraying him.  he sat there for over a second getting hit with water, and it still looked like he left reluctantly.  As soon as he took of, I heard another one answering from the woods.  Hope I cooled off that hot action.

      Had a flicker take out the gable vent 2 1/2  years ago.  Always came right after my difficult second baby went down for his nap.  One saturday I was home when he came knockin, my precious 2 yo daughter told me that the woodpeckers name was "dammit".  My wife looked a little embarassed.

  3. spike999250 | May 13, 2009 01:24am | #3

    Put suet feeders out, we have three species that come to ours.

  4. User avater
    JeffBuck | May 13, 2009 05:56am | #7

    cat walk ...

    and a big hungry cat.

     

    Jeff

        Buck Construction

     Artistry In Carpentry

         Pittsburgh Pa

  5. Piffin | May 13, 2009 04:57pm | #11

    convince the insects to quit living in those walls.

    The insects are there because they like moisture, and EIFS is famous for harbouring moisture.

    Odds are good that these folks have a larger problem than woodpeckers.

     

     

    Welcome to the
    Taunton University of
    Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
     where ...
    Excellence is its own reward!

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Choosing a Paintbrush

Tips for picking the right paintbrush based on paint type, surface, and personal comfort.

Featured Video

Builder’s Advocate: An Interview With Viewrail

Learn more about affordable, modern floating stairs, from design to manufacturing to installation.

Related Stories

  • Podcast Episode 695: Saving Bricks, Cut-and-Cobble Insulation, and Waterproofing Foundations
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Waterproofing Below-Grade Foundation Walls
  • Midcentury Home for a Modern Family
  • The New Old Colonial

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 333 - August/September 2025
    • A Practical Perfect Wall
    • Landscape Lighting Essentials
    • Repairing a Modern Window Sash
  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data