If there is anything behind the hole to hammer a nail into, you can also use a nail to achieve the same effect. Leave the head of the nail slightly exposed so that your epoxy putty will lock onto it when it expands.
Epoxy putty is a commonly recommended wood filler for use in repairing woodpecker damage. [3] X Research source Overfill the entire hole in your siding when applying the filler; it’s critical that you leave no void uncovered, and excess putty is easily removed. Make sure you fill the holes in your siding on a day with good weather, so the filler has enough time to air dry.
Make sure you do this on a day with sunny weather, so that the paint dries quickly after you finish.
Be sure to remove wood pieces and detritus from the hole you’ve just created before proceeding.
Don’t fill the entire hole with foam; leave about an inch of depth that your patch will go over. It’s critical that you add sealant to the hole to avoid the patch you place over it from falling into it.
Your patch can also be made out of ordinary lumber, though plywood is often recommended. [9] X Research source If the diameter of the patch is too large at first, use sandpaper to sand it down to an appropriate size.
This can be the same wood filler used to repair smaller holes. Don’t worry if the patch slightly juts out from the hole; this is easily repaired.
Make sure you do this on a day with sunny weather, so that the paint dries quickly after you finish.
To treat a carpenter ant infestation, locate the ant nest and fill the entrance with a dust insecticide to kill all the ants and the egg-laying queen. To get rid of carpenter bees, locate the small holes they’ve bored into your wood and hang traps directly over them. You can also use dust insecticide to fill the holes and kill any eggs that have been lain. [12] X Research source
Prowler owls and hawks with reflective eyes are particularly effective at warding off woodpeckers, as these are their natural predators. Hang aluminum foil or brightly colored strips of plastic along your siding for a low-cost visual deterrent.
If your structure is in an area with neighbors living close by, consider getting their blessing first before using loud noises to deter woodpeckers, or rely solely on visual deterrents. Unless you’re physically available to make jarring noises nearly every time the woodpecker shows up, this method will probably not be as effective as using visually frightening objects.
Though you can use a normal bird feeder, you’ll probably have more success using suet, a high-calorie bird food. [16] X Research source Every few days, place your feeder further and further away from your structure until the woodpeckers stop drilling in your siding. [17] X Research source Check on your suet every so often and make sure squirrels are not eating from it as well.
