Woodpecker roosting holes and nesting holes are most often begun in houses that are in close proximity to wooded areas, have natural wood or a dark-colored stain, and have either clapboard siding, board-and-batten siding, tongue-and-groove siding, or less often, resawn shakes and shingles. Woodpeckers are more drawn to redwood and cedar wood types than to composite wood or Masonite. While excavating holes, a woodpecker first digs through the outer siding, followed by the sheathing, and then plywood layers, directly into the insulation. It is here that the nesting or roosting area is hollowed out.

The best way to keep woodpeckers from hammering on your house is to begin damage control as soon as you hear the first tap. You should continue these measures even after the woodpecker has left to ensure that it does not return. Any holes the bird has made in your house should be immediately repaired and painted to avoid attracting more woodpeckers.

Tactile deterrents: Although some people recommend applying sticky repellents such as Tanglefoot Pest Control, Roost-No-More, and Bird Stop to areas where damage is occurring, other methods are less hazardous to the birds and structure. These products can get on a bird’s plumage, impairing its ability to fly and stay warm. Moreover, they can darken and stain wooden siding and cause dirt to adhere to the surface where they’re applied.

Visual deterrents: Aluminum foil strips or reflective tape, such as Irri-Tape manufactured by Bird-X, hung from areas where damage occurs may scare away woodpeckers. The strips should be long enough to hang freely and blow in the breeze. Windsocks hung from house corners serve the same purpose as aluminum foil and may be less intrusive. Handheld windmills, especially those with reflective vanes, can be attached along areas of damage. The motion of the revolving vanes may discourage woodpeckers. Plastic owls hung from the eaves of a house will generally frighten off woodpeckers for the first few days. However, birds often acclimate to the same visual stimulus in the same place every single day.