In the spring, woodpeckers use a rhythmic pecking called "drumming" to establish a territory and attract a mate. Complaints of woodpeckers on houses during this period indicate that the birds are using the house as a "singing" post. Try to convince the bird to move his territory to reduce damage. You may be successful at this by hanging reflective objects nearby or placing owl decoys that will scare the birds (the owls must be moved every few days or the woodpeckers will become accustomed to them and resume singing in the area). Whether or not you use a control measure, this noisy irritation usually stops by summer.
Woodpeckers may display drumming behavior on a variety of structures including TV antennas, gutters, chimney pipes, or ornamental and orchard trees. Drumming on antennas or gutters is mainly annoying and may not require control; however, drumming that may damage valuable trees and wood siding may require control.
Note that lethal control of woodpeckers requires a federal permit.
Online Resources:
Woodpecker Control
