Dear Albert,
Woodpeckers normally drill where there are insect larvae or pupae (such
as carpenter bees) in the wood. I recommend that people allow the birds to
get these immature forms of insects, thereby reducing the populations of the
insects making use of your wood siding. Then, of course, you will need to
repair the holes. If you simply try to deter the birds now, you only increase
the population of insects around your home that will overwinter in your
siding next year.
To avoid this situation altogether, you should replace your wood
siding with the newer non-wooden varieties of siding.
I hope this helps.
Marlene
Marlene A. Condon (Author, The Nature-Friendly Garden: Creating a Backyard
Haven for Plants, Wildlife, and People)
Nature Writer/Photographer/Speaker
Crozet, VA 22932-2204
email: MARLENECONDON@xxxxxxx
