How to Get Rid of Pileated Woodpeckers That Are Destroying Trees

Pileated woodpeckers hammer, drill and drum most persistently during the spring nesting season from March through May. The noisy, destructive drilling is a result of securing food and building nesting sites. Hammering behavior is the bird’s way of proclaiming personal territory and conversing with other pileated woodpeckers. These birds are protected by state and federal laws, so employ several nonlethal control methods simultaneously to preserve the trees the woodpeckers are destroying. You must take action at the first signs of destructive activities and pest-like behavior. Pester the birds consistently and persistently, because woodpeckers prefer not to be disturbed and will likely vacate the area if they haven’t already established nesting territory.

3-mil plastic
Child’s cap gun
Old pot
Metal spoon
Child’s pinwheel toy
Mylar or foil strips
Aluminum pie tins
Bright-colored mylar balloons
Fishing line
Silver mylar helium balloon
Rock or brick
Plastic owl
Rubber snakes

Instructions

- 1
  Exclude pileated woodpeckers from the holes they have begun drilling in your trees. Stretch a piece of thick 3-mil plastic over the affected area, and secure it with nails, staples or tacks. This step will prevent the bird from being able to cling to the bark with its claws and will end drilling at the site.
- 2
  Scare the woodpecker each time you spot it. Run outside, clap your hands and yell at it. Fire a child’s cap gun, or beat on an old pot with a metal spoon. Take your dog with you, and encourage your dog to harass the bird. Spray the bird with the water hose.
- 3
  Tack or hang shiny objects that will move in the breeze up in the pecking area. Use a child’s pinwheel toy, mylar or foil strips, and aluminum pie tins.
- 4
  Hang bright-colored mylar balloons with fishing line so they will flutter around the pileated woodpecker’s damage site.
- 5
  Tie a silver mylar helium balloon to a rock or brick with fishing line. Place it so the balloon will bob upward around the woodpecker’s activity area.
- 6
  Mount a plastic owl on a branch or pole near the damaged area. Hang a rubber snake from the tree trunk, and put other rubber snakes at the foot of the tree.

Thrip Control in Onions

What Causes Black Spots or Dead Areas on the Ends of Leaves of House Plants?

Pests, Weeds & Problems