For many of us, woodpeckers bring back the memory of the cute little cartoon character with silly antics that entertained us each Saturday morning throughout our childhoods. For others though, woodpeckers are not so cute. In fact, they are considered one of the most annoying birds in existence. The big question is: How do we get rid of these pesky creatures?

Woodpecker Deterrents

There are many methods to scare these birds off. Some methods are easier and cheaper than others. One way is to deter the birds using bright and shiny reflective materials. By hanging strips of aluminum foil or aluminum pie plates in the trees around your home or nailed to areas around your house where the woodpeckers have been seen perching. Any household items that are shiny and move easily can be used.

Use Noise to Get Rid of Woodpeckers

Although woodpeckers delight in creating noise with their own pecking; noise from other sources can be quite frightening. There are sound deterrent systems available for purchase that produce sounds such as that of distressed birds which in turn makes the woodpecker hesitant to enter the area. Although these systems are said to be very effective they do tend to be rather pricey. This method is not highly recommended due to the short amount of time they are actually needed. Woodpeckers are the biggest nuisance during breeding season.

Guard your Yard

A cheaper and more temporary approach would be to guard the area where woodpeckers have been a problem. This can be done by purchasing hardware cloth or plastic netting and attaching it to the side of your home. Be sure the netting has opens small enough that a bird will not become trapped or injured in it. If the netting seems unsightly, you can spray paint it to match the exterior of your home or the area in which it is protecting. This method is very effective because woodpeckers will generally only return to areas where previous damage is detected and since the netting prevents damage in the first place, they have no reason to return.

Use Humane Trapping Methods

If the above methods do not appeal to you or are possibly not doing the job, you might consider using traps to get rid of woodpeckers and then turn them over to wildlife representatives to release back into a more proper environment. As annoying as these birds can become, keep in mind that these birds are protected by federal law under The Migratory Bird Act of 1918 . However you decide to get rid of these birds, do not resort to shooting them.