&%*@!$# Woodpecker

[Z-man]

Originally Posted by 89911

Why else would they do this to aluminum gutters?

When it rains, debris from a roof will generally get trapped in the gutter. Get enough debris in the gutter, and it will trap moisture, which is a perfect breeding ground for termites, ants, and a whole feast of bugs that woodpeckers love.

That is the bigger reason why these guys peck at gutters.

-Z-man.

[dafischer]

Guys, thanks for the commiseration and advice. Termites aren't the problem though, since the wood is only three years old, and we've had the barn treated for termites for the past two years. The restoration was too big of an investment to leave to chance.

Carpenter bees seems logical. I thought the stains might have been woodpecker crap, but I think bees got in from behind the trim since it lays on top of the battens. I'll get up on a ladder and do a check tonight. Then a liberal application of bee spray, I think.

[lendaddy]

I have the same problem with my cedar trim and no they aren't doing any favors. I just replaced all the corner trim on my house for this same thing.

We had the local University send a guy out and he said we didn't have bugs and that the W/P's are attracted to the trim for two reasons. First it sounds hollow to them when they peck it(note the voids created by the lateral slats). and second that they had been studying the electrical "humm" of wood homes and the W/P's are also attracted/confused by it.

[javadog]

I have woodpeckers in my area and I have observed that when I hear one pecking away in a tree, there is usually at least one more, and sometimes two, pecking away in other trees in the same area. One will peck, then wait and listen while another one pecks. This alternates back and forth in a fairly regular pattern. It could be woodpecker conversation or several of them trying to get laid. Beats me, but in this case they aren't after food, just noise.

JR

[masraum]

Yes, I also agree that they do peck for communications sometimes, but they also peck for food. I've watched them. They'll listen (turn head sideways and put it close to the wood) then peck, then listen some more, repeat.... When they are pecking for food, it's generally not very loud. Sometimes they peck and it's VERY loud. When they do that, they're just hammering away, and not listening to the wood, but they do seem to be alternating with other woodpeckers in the area.

[Drdogface]

Originally Posted by ken_xman

Go to home depot and get bee killer spray. Spray the holes in the photo and soak the area surrounding. They hate the smell. I had one hammering against the aluminum outside my bedroom at 5:00 in the morning for a week. I was considering trying to shoot it with the .40 from inside it was so damn annoying!
Spray worked!

Now THAT sounds like a good idea ! In my area of Ca. they are driling holes to hide acorns, not looking for bugs. Different peckerhead I expect.

[RWebb]

Woodpeckers DO communicate by drumming on objects - humans have created some real kick-ass drums for them to use too. The Woodpeckers are basicly advertising their territory by drumming - "Hey - this is my spot! males stay AWAY. Females, C'mon on over here Honey!" There have been some nice cartoons on it.

As a grad, student I used to walk to my office at WSU every morning and got ti hear the most god-awful racket ever each morning. A Woodpecker had staked out a territory that included a giant ventilator atop a tall building (and that was on a hill). You could hear it all over town (a very small town) - he was also able to drown out every human noise made on campus.

I'm sure that Woodpecker was very successful with the ladies...

As much as I hate mdf/chip-board/waferbd., it might be the thing to use to prevent resonances when you replace the trim...

[svandamme]

i'de think they peck/listen to determine where they might find grub?
eg, hollow sound = insects ?