Shake Shingle Siding And Woodpeckers

Q: We have shake shingle siding and small woodpeckers have been making holes in it, plus lots of noise!

A: This is typical woodpecker behavior in early spring. Contrary to popular belief, they aren’t typically looking for insects. Instead, they’re looking for a mate. The drumming attracts other woodpeckers to the area. They do not usually make a hole in siding for a nest. Solutions like hanging a plastic snake or owl or pie pans nearby are not usually effective to deter drumming. I was told by one gardener that hanging a noise-activated scare spider nearby worked two years in a row. Otherwise, you can just tolerate the noise for a few weeks. As day length increases, the urge to drum will decrease.