SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse.
Tom Silva teaches Kevin O’Connor all about woodpecker damage. After explaining the different types of holes that woodpeckers make (and why they make them), Tom goes through his best tips for repairing existing damage. Tom even explains some convention (and not-so-conventional) options for keeping woodpeckers at bay.
Where to find it?
Tom explains how to identify woodpecker damage, what repair options there are, and how to prevent it.
Tom first explains the reasons woodpeckers may drum into your home could be for their March-May mating season or also because they are feeding on insects. He explains that similar clusters of cone shaped holes are more likely for mating while irregular small holes are probably for feeding.
Tom explains damage can be anywhere on the exterior of the home but a few repair options include replacing cedar shingles [https://amzn.to/3FV3ijH], making a dutchman repair to siding or corner boards, the old painters method of nailing aluminum siding [https://amzn.to/3fKZneE] over holes, and using wood filler [https://amzn.to/3zY5V0j] for smaller holes.
There are many options to deter woodpeckers. It’s important to remember that woodpeckers are federally protected birds, so all deterrents need to be humane. Tom mentions the importance of highly reflective materials and materials with sudden unpredictable movements. Examples include mylar balloons [https://amzn.to/3USANaP], reflective streamers [https://amzn.to/3WIMOBi], CD’s [https://amzn.to/3UiJv1X], reflective tape [https://amzn.to/3E6Vc5d], or pinwheels [https://amzn.to/3TahyYU]. Tom notes that decoy predators [https://amzn.to/3zQwaFW] can work as a deterrent but it is important to move them regularly around the property so that the woodpeckers do not become desensitized to them.
Looking for more step by step guidance on how to complete projects around the house? Join This Old House Insider to stream over 1,000 episodes commercial-free: https://bit.ly/2GPiYbH
Plus, download our FREE app for full-episode streaming to your connected TV, phone or tablet: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/pages/streaming-app
About Ask This Old House TV:
From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.
Follow This Old House:
Facebook: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseFB
Twitter: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseTwitter
Pinterest: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHousePinterest
Instagram: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseIG
Woodpecker Damage Repair and Prevention | Ask This Old House
https://www.youtube.com/user/thisoldhouse/