
Use lightweight structural adhesive epoxy putty. Apply the structural adhesive epoxy putty liberally over the holes so that it sinks in. Scrape the excess epoxy off before it dries. Sand the epoxy across the wood's surface, so it blends in with the wood with light-grade sandpaper.
How to fix woodpecker holes in a house?
This is how to fix woodpecker holes in a house the Tribble Painting way: For replacing, take measurements of the boards you will need to replace For repairing, determine based on the size of the hole if you will caulk (small holes), patch with wood epoxy (medium holes), or replace (large holes)
Are woodpeckers harmful to log homes?
Woodpeckers may look cute, but they can do a lot of damage to a log home. There are over 120 species of woodpeckers and all of them share one thing in common – they love to drill holes in wood.
Can woodpecker damage be repaired?
Luckily, repairing woodpecker damage is a very simple and straightforward process, and if you follow it up with preventative steps to deter future wood pecking, you can be quickly rid of woodpecker damage forever. Chisel out the back interior of the holes.

What should I use to fill woodpecker holes?
Woodpeckers drill small holes to locate insects and food and to create drumming sounds to attract a mate. Often, you can fill these small holes with durable epoxy putty. Once the epoxy putty dries, the area can be sanded and painted to match the rest of your home's siding.
How do you keep woodpeckers from pecking on a log cabin?
Metal sheeting covering the damaged areas not only protects the wood but makes a sound that woodpeckers don't like. Using reflective Mylar or foil strips works well, too. You can also check at your local home improvement stores for non-toxic, non-lethal repellants.
How do you fill a woodpecker hole in a cedar post?
0:492:06How to Repair Woodpecker Holes in Cedar Siding - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPretty simply we like to fill them with a caulk. Either applying a colored caulk to match the sidingMorePretty simply we like to fill them with a caulk. Either applying a colored caulk to match the siding or a clear cost if we are not retaining the existing surface.
What do you use to fill woodpecker holes in cedar siding?
Fill the siding holes with wood filler.Epoxy putty is a commonly recommended wood filler for use in repairing woodpecker damage.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.More items...
What is the best woodpecker deterrent?
Homeowners have reported some success deterring woodpeckers with windsocks, pinwheels, helium balloons (shiny, bright Mylar balloons are especially effective), strips of aluminum foil, or reflective tape.
What do woodpeckers hate?
Woodpeckers, like most birds, don't have a well-developed sense of smell. They can smell, but it's not as good as say a wolf or raccoon. However, unfamiliar scents like peppermint, catnip, cinnamon, lavender, basil, onion, rosemary, dryer sheets, and citronella can repel woodpeckers from your home.
How do you fix a woodpecker problem?
How To Stop Woodpeckers From Pecking Your HouseSwitch exterior materials. You can either replace your entire siding or just the areas they peck. ... Hang up reflective materials. Reflective tape can get woodpeckers to stop pecking your house. ... Fake predators. You can set up fake owls or snakes to scare woodpeckers away.
Can you use wood filler on Cedar?
Cedar wood Filler contains a powerful and innovative formula that spreads smoothly and evenly into large holes, cracks or defects in unfinished wood.
Can you use epoxy putty on wood?
Using an epoxy wood filler is a great way to restore rotted wood. If you're hesitant, this step-by-step repair will demystify the process. There's no reason to fear epoxies. Epoxy filler, in fact, can be a cost- and labor-effective way to fix voids left in woodwork by rot or insect damage.
How do I stop a woodpecker from pecking my cedar siding?
Visual deterrents - Hang up items that will blow and swing in the breeze to scare them away. You can try windsocks, mylar/reflective tape, scare eye balloons, plastic windmills etc. Netting - Get netting which is used to protect fruit from birds and place over the corners of the house if possible to exclude the birds.
How do you fill in holes in exterior wood?
Holes in wood trim are best filled with wood filler. Nail holes in exterior surfaces, just as with cracks or gaps, can be dealt with using a good caulking. Take the time before you apply any paint on your next project to fill all of the gaps, cracks, and nail holes.
Does a woodpecker mean termites?
Insects are woodpeckers' primary food source, so if your home or yard has an infestation, it could look like a free buffet. Bees, ants, and termites are all common reasons for woodpeckers to target a home, so check for signs of infestations including hives, rotting wood, or dead insects.
How do you stop woodpeckers from pecking trees?
How to Protect Your Trees from WoodpeckersWrap the trunks in mesh cloth. Even a thin fabric barrier is usually enough to deter woodpeckers. ... Scare the birds away. Birds don't like reflective surfaces. ... Check for nests or hiding spots. Once woodpeckers get comfortable on your property, it's even harder to get rid of them.
Is there a spray to keep woodpeckers away?
Woodpecker deterrent spray is the most efficient and long-term solution. The spray is unappealing to the woodpeckers and makes them learn to avoid the area in the future. Avian Control does not only work to get rid of woodpeckers but, in fact, all birds!
Will vinegar deter woodpeckers?
You can make a homemade bird repellent spray. For that, make a solution of vinegar, water, and chili peppers. Mix crushed dried green or red chili peppers into the solution. Once you have made the solution, apply it to where woodpeckers usually peck.
Will fake owl scare woodpecker?
Because owls prey on woodpeckers, artificial decoy owls often serve as effective deterrents. You can purchase readymade decoys on the internet (view example on Amazon), at home improvement centers, and many local garden stores. Opt for ones with reflective eyes, which look more realistic. Spook them with noise.
How to keep woodpeckers away from my house?
Reflective tape can get woodpeckers to stop pecking your house. You nail the tape to the exterior of your home. It moves with the wind and reflects sunlight which helps keep woodpeckers away. You’ll need to replace it once it breaks off.
What are some ways to scare woodpeckers away?
3. Fake predators. You can set up fake owls or snakes to scare woodpeckers away. But these are some smart birds. They’ll figure out the fakes unless you move them around every week or so.
How to get rid of woodpeckers in trees?
Start by spraying a solution of one to two teaspoons of liquid dish soap and one cup of warm water into tree holes to flush out pathogens from the woodpecker’s beak, then rinse the holes out with water from a garden hose.
How to keep woodpeckers away from my house?
A variety of woodpecker deterrents are available to keep woodpeckers away from outdoor structures after you have repaired them. For starters, protect trees by mounting bird-repellent tape to tree trunks or hanging old mirrors from limbs: Their shiny, reflective surface will scare off nearby woodpeckers. You can also opt to hang DIY wind chimes or plastic owls or hawks from tree limbs or siding or eaves of the home to frighten encroaching woodpeckers. Finally, if you have a dead tree in the yard, consider hanging a suet feeder (a wire cage with high-calorie bird food) from it to lure the birds to the dead wood and thus preserve living trees.
How to get rid of carpenter bees in a hole?
Once you locate a hole, eliminate the infestation by hanging a carpenter bee trap directly over the hole or filling it (along with any accessible chambers of the burrowed corridor) with residual dust insecticide, preferably one with a curved applicator to easily reach the chambers.
How to find termites in wood?
Termites can be spotted via discarded wings, termite droppings, hollow spots in the woodwork or foundation (which can be found out by tapping the area with a screwdriver), nests in dry wood, or subterranean mud tunnels. If you suspect a termite infestation, call in a certified pest professional to eliminate it through soil treatments like Termidor, bait and monitoring systems, or physical termite barriers.
How to repair a woodpecker hole?
1. Use a hole saw to cut a circular hole over the damage. If the woodpecker hole is 2 inches (5.1 cm) or larger in diameter, it will require a bit more work. Cut a circular or square-shaped hole to make the repair work easier. Be sure to remove wood pieces and detritus from the hole you’ve just created before proceeding.
How to keep woodpeckers away from wood?
1. Eliminate any insect infestations in your wood. This is the most important step in woodpecker deterrence. Although woodpeckers drill holes in wood for a variety of reasons, they will be more likely to do so in your home if there is food readily available.
What kind of wood do woodpeckers like?
When it comes to preferred wood to peck, woodpeckers love soft siding material such as cedar. If the siding of your home happens to be made of this material and you live near a wooded area, it will probably experience woodpecker damage at some point.
What to do when woodpeckers are swarming around cedar siding?
Hang ceramic predators and shiny objects on your structure. Visual deterrents can be an ever-present means of frightening woodpeckers away from your cedar siding. [13]
How to scare woodpeckers away from siding?
After being repeatedly greeted with loud, jarring noises, woodpeckers will eventually learn not to drill holes in your siding. Hand-clapping, firing toy pistols, and banging garbage can lids can all be used to frighten away woodpeckers.
How to repair a hole in a wall?
Use wood filler to place the patch inside the hole. Place wood filler around the edges of both the patch and the hole, and fit the patch into place . Scrape off any excess wood filler. This can be the same wood filler used to repair smaller holes.
How to prevent epoxy putty from popping out of siding?
This will prevent your repairs from popping out of the siding. 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. ...
