Woodpeckers are doin-me-ead-in!

[58Ford]

I have at least one that’s taken a liking to my patio posts. Anyone have any suggestions on handling this? Open to all suggestions. Prefer humane if possible. I had just finished patching up the last set of holes. This guy has me working non stop, patching and painting!
We are a little rural and on acreage but no trees within 300 yards of the patio. Very open terrain. If that matters.

 

[NCL4701]

A few suggestions:

1) Make absolutely sure you don’t have insects in the posts (termites, ants, carpenter bees, etc.). Woodpeckers are generally better at finding insects inside wood structures than people are, and they generally don’t return to unproductive spots. However you could be dealing with a crazy dumba$$ woodpecker.

2) If it doesn’t ruin the aesthetic of your house, get a siding guy to wrap the post in aluminum.

3) Replace the post with aluminum or fiberglass.

4) Shotgun. Putty and paint one last time.

 

[Fordtech86]

 

[mcfarmall]

I had a crazy woodpecker that was destroying a sparrow trap made out of green treated marine plywood. Trust me, there were no insects in that wood. He was just hell-bent on destruction!

 

[58Ford]

Thanks NCL, I had not considered there was bugs in a 5 yo post. Well worth the check!

There was a couple hanging around when we bought the place. Banging on the roof flashing and then started on the posts. I think this guy was their youngin.

I did try the woodpecker feeder to try to tempt them away from the house but no success with this guy. A year ago I stopped all the feed because of how frustrated I was and likely made it worse because of the feed. No idea.

Thats the reason I have hesitated chootin him. But he’s pushing his luck!

 

[58Ford]

I had a crazy woodpecker that was destroying a sparrow trap made out of green treated marine plywood. Trust me, there were no insects in that wood. He was just hell-bent on destruction!

Yeah, my guy may be related. I didn’t build this place but pretty sure the posts are just treated 4x4 with 1x4 planks on the outside, all primed and painted house color. He’s tearing through the planks. Can put your thumb in them.

 

[fried1765]

Yeah, my guy may be related. I didn’t build this place but pretty sure the posts are just treated 4x4 with 1x4 planks on the outside, all primed and painted house color. He’s tearing through the planks. Can put your thumb in them.

Boom !!!!!!

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

aren't wood peckers (like bald eagles) protected in the US?

In my area in Canada not uncommon to see dozens of bald eagles and wood peckers etc... at a time but a strict no no to shoot both.

 

[imnukensc]

aren't wood peckers (like bald eagles) protected in the US?

In my area in Canada not uncommon to see dozens of bald eagles and wood peckers etc... at a time but a strict no no to shoot both.

In general, the only birds not protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act are house sparrows, starlings, and pigeons. It's even against the law to possess the feathers of birds that are protected. Wouldn't stop me from killing a woodpecker that was destroying my house, though, and I'm not gonna get rid of all the barred owl feathers I've collected out of my yard.

 

[chim]

A little different bird problem several years ago. Wifey's car somehow got chosen by as a target by just one bird. Never understood how one small animal could produce that much excrement in such a short time. It began with birdcrap on and near the right side mirror. The situation kept getting worse. When it got to the point where the side of the car regularly looked like the picture below, she put a contract out on him. One of the boys obliged. One dead bird, no more poop.

 

[Tarmy]

We had them real bad..tearing 2-3” diameter holes in siding and doing a lot of damage. They are very common up here and most folks use fish netting, metallic streamers, fake owls and pellet guns. Nothing would stop them. One guy asked if my house was a dark color…why yes! Painted the house a light tan, from the dark brown it was, and the problem almost completely stopped. They actually moved over to the neighbors…but he shoots them so that seems to be the most permanent solution.

 

[D2Cat]

A little different bird problem several years ago. Wifey's car somehow got chosen by as a target by just one bird. Never understood how one small animal could produce that much excrement in such a short time. It began with birdcrap on and near the right side mirror. The situation kept getting worse. When it got to the point where the side of the car regularly looked like the picture below, she put a contract out on him. One of the boys obliged. One dead bird, no more poop.

They set there looking at themself in the mirror. I think they see a mate?

 

[GeoHorn]

They set there looking at themself in the mirror. I think they see a mate?

A Gay Bird?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Plant some trees for him to peck on.
Or just plant some dead tree trunks.

 

[D2Cat]

A Gay Bird?

https://www.birdsandblooms.com/birding/birding-basics/bird-pecking-window/

 

[Lil Foot]

B670 Backhoe Rebuild

Does anyone have a working knowledge of the older B670 (KUW200) backhoes that were made for the older B6100 Kubota tractors. I am trying to rebuild one and have found that the area that the bottom pin of the swing weldment goes into is worn out and out of round. The raised round piece of metal...

www.orangetractortalks.com

posts #18 & #20

 

[Daferris]

I had the same problem years ago. Look for some stuff called "tanglefoot" it's a sticky paste to smear on the spot they are drilling had to do 3-4 places but after a week they moved on and while they go after the dead/dieing trees around here they have left the house alone.

 

[GeoHorn]

https://www.birdsandblooms.com/birding/birding-basics/bird-pecking-window/

Sooo…the answer is “No,…. he’s actually a Brawler.”

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Bird-X is one electronic method. Disney was banned from using them as they kept ALL the birds away from the food courts. Simple, effective.

 

[Freeheeler]

The carpenter bees are my initial problem, I hunt them vigorously with the tennis racquet. The woodpecker is after them too I assume, but he's not getting rid of them, just making a bigger mess. I'm hoping if I replace the damaged wood with Trex or similar, then both problems will be solved. If not, it's boom time.