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 Six species of woodpeckers breed
in Florida, including the downy (Picoides pubescens),
hairy (Picoides villosus),
red-headed (Melanerpes
erythrocephalus), red-bellied
(Melanerpes carolinus), pileated
(Dryocopus pileatus), and red-cockaded
woodpeckers (Picoides borealis). All excavate cavities
in trees and feed on insects gleaned from under the bark of trees.
As their name implies, woodpeckers feed by pecking to chip off, or drill
into, tree bark. Woodpeckers sometimes damage decaying wood siding on
houses in search of insects. They may even attempt to excavate a
nesting cavity if the siding is soft enough and insects are plentiful.
In the spring woodpeckers will often "drum" on almost any surface
including aluminum siding. This staccato hammering is a courtship
display only and seldom damages the surface being drummed on.
Homeowners can often deter woodpeckers from damaging siding by removing
their source through replacement of rotted boards with sound ones.
Gentle harassment with water hoses or silhouettes of snakes or owls at
problem sites is sometimes effective. Excluding woodpeckers from
the surface with plastic or nylon netting is the surest method.
Repellents are generally of limited value.
Woodpeckers are protected under the Federal Migratory Bird
Treaty Act and are also protected under state law, and may not be
trapped or killed without federal permit.
You can receive technical assistance for woodpecker problems by contacting
your nearest FWC regional office.
More Information
Wildlife Resources Handbook
information on damage control
Cornell University advise on woodpecker problems
University of
Nebraska Cooperative Extension (pdf)
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