It is a common occurrence for woodpeckers to damage siding. Woodpeckers will peck and attack the siding with their beaks. In this post, we are going to talk about why woodpeckers cause damage to siding, what stops woodpeckers from damaging siding, and what effects can come from the damage woodpeckers cause to siding. Lastly, we will cover some solutions to woodpeckers putting holes in your home.
Why Do Woodpeckers Damage Siding?
Woodpeckers peck at mostly wood siding or wood composite siding. The reason they peck at the siding could be for a few different reasons.
First woodpeckers mark their territory by making noise and leaving their mark by pecking mostly wood. By making the loud noise of pecking other woodpeckers can hear them from a distance and know it is another woodpecker’s area. Also by leaving the marks from pecking on different wood surfaces such as trees or wood siding this lets other woodpeckers know it is an occupied territory.
The second reason a woodpecker attacks siding is because it is trying to make a home. During the nesting season, woodpeckers will make holes in the sides of people’s homes and start to nest. Along with trying to nest in homes, they also take building materials such as insulation in the wall to go and make a nest somewhere else.
A third reason that woodpeckers attack siding is because they think there are bugs in the siding. They will commonly attack rotten areas of siding first because they are more likely to find bugs in rotten wood. A lot of times when woodpeckers are pecking at rotten siding or trim it is rotten from a lack of maintenance or proper installation of the siding.
How does Woodpecker Damage affect Your Home?
Damage from woodpeckers can cause many challenges to a home. It can cause water infiltration that can cause many issues like these:
- Rotting Wood
- Mold
- Mildew
- Insulation issues
These problems can become very serious if not addressed quickly. If rotten wood is not repaired quickly it can cause substantial structural repairs to be needed.
How Can I Fix Woodpecker Damage?
When woodpeckers attack your home there are a few short-term remedies that you can use until you replace the siding that is woodpecker resistant.
- Put a piece of metal or wood over the holes and damaged areas
- Put up something shiny as a deterring distraction
- Fill the holes with spray foam insulation
These are all short-term solutions and some will work better than others depending on how persistent the woodpecker is. It is common for woodpeckers to move to different sides of the home as the damage is repaired without woodpecker resistant siding and trim.
Siding That Prevents Woodpecker Damage
The best long term solution is to replace the siding with Fiber Cement siding. Woodpeckers have no interest in pecking Fiber Cement Siding and it is covered under the James Hardie Warranty. James Hardie Fiber Cement can not only stop the woodpeckers but give your house a fresh look. A big factor that has become so popular is its resistance to woodpecker damage.
James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding is the most well know Fiber Cement Siding in the United States and the #1 brand of siding in North America. It is a very durable siding with a wood grain look that has very low maintenance. It comes with a 30 Year Nondepreciating Warranty and also comes with a 15-year finish warranty on the factory coated Colorplus Technology. They also have trim to match the siding that is also woodpecker resistant and come prefinished like the siding.
Contact UHQ Construction for your Siding Repair or Siding Replacement Project
If you suspect your home has sustained siding damage, don’t delay. Give us a call and we’ll help you determine the extent of the damage and the best course of action for repair or replacement. You can learn more about the siding services and products we offer here and get in touch with us below or give us a call at (317) 943-8406. We’d love to help you protect your home for the long haul!
