Woodpecker Cedar Siding Damage: How to Prevent and Fix It

Woodpeckers can be more than just a noisy nuisance—they can seriously damage your home’s cedar siding. They’re known for their unique feeding and nesting habits, which, unfortunately, can involve drilling holes into wood siding. 

Dealing with woodpecker damage can be a frustrating and costly problem, but you can take advantage of ways to repair the damage and prevent future attacks on your cedar siding. In this article, we’ll explain why woodpeckers are attracted to cedar siding, how to fix damage, and strategies to keep them from returning.

Why Do Woodpeckers Peck on Cedar Siding?

Woodpeckers are drawn to cedar siding for several reasons, all related to their natural behaviors and survival instincts:

Food Source

Woodpeckers peck on cedar siding primarily to find food, and insects are a favorite food source. If a home’s siding is infested with insects, it becomes an attractive feeding ground. Regularly inspect and treat your siding for pests to avoid attracting woodpeckers.

Nesting and Territory Marking

During the breeding season, woodpeckers make holes in the wood to build nests. These holes also serve as territorial markers, signaling to other woodpeckers that the area is claimed. 

If a woodpecker has chosen a home’s siding for nesting, it may return year after year, causing ongoing damage. Providing alternative nesting sites like birdhouses can help prevent this problem.

Food Storage

Woodpeckers sometimes make holes in wood to store food for later consumption. This behavior is particularly common in areas where food sources become scarce during certain times of the year.

Mating Calls

The loud drumming sound produced when woodpeckers peck on wood serves as a mating call. Cedar siding can provide an excellent acoustic surface for these birds to attract potential mates.

Is Woodpecker Damage Repairable?

The good news is that woodpecker damage to cedar siding is usually repairable. You can use several methods to address the damage:

Patch Small Holes

For smaller holes, use wood fillers or putties. Apply with a putty knife, smooth it out, and paint to match the existing siding, if applicable.

Replace Damaged Sections

For extensive damage, you may need to replace large sections of siding to preserve your home’s structural integrity and appearance. Consider hiring a professional siding contractor to make effective repairs and match the existing siding.

Use Metal Sheeting or Mesh

Covering damaged areas with metal sheeting or mesh can prevent further pecking at the same spot. This method is particularly effective in areas prone to repeat attacks.

How To Get Rid of Woodpeckers

After you’ve repaired holes, you’ll want to prevent repeat damage by using a humane and effective method to deter woodpeckers.

Visual Deterrents

Visual deterrents are often the simplest and most cost-effective solution for woodpecker problems. These birds are naturally wary of shiny, reflective objects that move. Homeowners can use:

• Reflective tape or streamers
• Old CDs or DVDs hung near problem areas
• Reflective pinwheels or wind chimes
• Holographic bird diverters

Place these items near areas where woodpeckers have been active and move them periodically to prevent the birds from getting used to them.

Sound Deterrents

Woodpeckers are also sensitive to certain sounds. Electronic devices that emit predator calls or woodpecker distress signals can keep these birds away. While often more expensive than visual deterrents, they don’t affect your home’s appearance as visual deterrents do.

Physical Barriers

For persistent woodpecker problems, you can set up physical barriers. These can include netting installed a few inches away from the siding, metal sheeting or flashing over damaged areas, and woodpecker-specific spikes or coils. 

While effective, these methods take significant work to install and may diminish your home’s appearance.

Natural Repellents

Some homeowners have success with natural repellents, such as applying sticky substances to problem areas and hanging suet feeders away from the house to redirect woodpeckers. You can also plant dense shrubbery near the house to make it less attractive to woodpeckers. 

You may need to reapply natural repellents, especially after rain.

Woodpecker-Resistant Siding Options

For homeowners dealing with persistent woodpecker problems or those looking to prevent problems before they start, installing woodpecker-resistant siding can be a long-term solution. While it’s a significant up-front investment, it can save money and headaches in the long run. Here are some choices:

Fiber Cement Siding

Fiber cement siding, like James Hardie‘s, is an excellent alternative to cedar. It’s made from a mixture of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers, so woodpeckers can’t penetrate. It also offers exceptional durability and low maintenance. This siding option deters woodpeckers and withstands environmental factors better than traditional wood.

Fiber cement siding is non-combustible, insect resistant, and available in various styles and colors. Its durability can translate into long-term savings on maintenance and repair costs.

Stone and Brick Veneer

Durable stone and brick veneers lend a timeless, elegant look and are impervious to woodpecker damage. They can significantly improve a home’s curb appeal and increase its value, though they’re typically more expensive than other siding options.

Vinyl Siding

While not completely woodpecker proof, high-quality vinyl siding is less attractive to woodpeckers because it has a smooth surface and doesn’t host insects.

Vinyl siding comes in a wide range of colors and textures, can mimic the appearance of natural wood, and needs relatively little maintenance. It’s also easier to install and often more affordable than other options.

Maintaining Cedar Siding To Prevent Woodpecker Damage

Properly maintaining cedar siding can go a long way in preventing woodpecker damage and insect infestation:

Sealing and Staining

Applying sealants and stains protects cedar siding from moisture infiltration and UV damage. Regular applications help maintain the wood’s integrity and appearance and helps keep insects away.

Inspecting for Infestations and Damage

Regularly inspect your cedar siding to catch potential insect infestations or damage early. Treating infestations right away minimizes woodpecker attraction.

Trimming Vegetation

Keeping trees and shrubs trimmed and away from the house reduces convenient perches and access points for woodpeckers. It also allows for better sunlight and airflow, which can help keep the siding dry and less susceptible to pest invasions.

When to Call a Professional

While you can put woodpecker deterrents in place yourself, there are times when it’s best to call in a professional:

• For extensive damage that requires significant siding repair or replacement
• If woodpecker activity persists despite trying different deterrents
• When installing complex deterrent systems such as netting or electronic devices
• If the damage is in hard-to-reach areas of the home