Woodpecker in Calgary | Prevent Woodpecker Damage to Homes and Trees 

Learn how to stop woodpecker damage to your home and trees in Calgary. Discover safe, humane, and legal methods to deter woodpeckers while complying with Canada’s Migratory Birds Convention Act. 

Why Woodpeckers Peck

Woodpeckers are striking birds, known for their rhythmic drumming on trees, siding, and metal surfaces. However, their pecking can become a serious nuisance when it damages homes and property.

These birds peck for three main reasons:

1. Feeding: They drill into wood to reach insects like carpenter ants or wood-boring beetles.
   
   

2. Communication: The loud drumming is a way to claim territory and attract mates, especially during spring.
   
   

3. Nesting: They excavate holes to create nests or roosting cavities.
   
   

While beautiful to watch, woodpeckers can cause significant structural damage if left unchecked.

Damage Caused by Woodpeckers

Woodpeckers can target a variety of surfaces around your home:

• Wood siding (cedar, pine, stucco, and EIFS)
  
  

• Fascia boards and trim
  
  

• Chimneys and eaves
  
  

• Trees near structures
  
  

Their constant pecking can create holes and cracks, allowing moisture and pests to enter. Over time, this can lead to:

• Water damage or rot
  
  

• Insect infestations
  
  

• Expensive siding repairs
  
  

• Tree weakening or death
  
  

In Calgary’s suburban and wooded areas, homes near forest edges are particularly vulnerable to woodpecker activity.

Legal Protection in Canada

Woodpeckers are protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act (MBCA). This means:

• It is illegal to kill, capture, or harm woodpeckers.
  
  

• Their nests, eggs, and young are also protected.
  
  

• Any control or removal method must be non-lethal and humane.
  
  

Violating these regulations can result in fines or legal penalties, so it’s crucial to use only approved deterrence methods.

How to Prevent and Deter Woodpeckers

Fortunately, there are several safe and legal ways to keep woodpeckers away from your property:

1. Visual Deterrents

Woodpeckers are easily startled by reflective and moving objects.

• Hang shiny tape, CDs, or mirrors near problem areas.
  
  

• Use bird-scaring balloons or predator decoys (like owls or hawks).
  
  

• Move these items occasionally to maintain effectiveness.
  
  

2. Sound Deterrents

Motion-activated noise devices or recordings of predator calls can scare off woodpeckers, especially in early stages of infestation

3. Physical Barriers

Protect vulnerable surfaces with:

• Plastic or metal mesh netting installed a few centimeters away from the siding
  
  

• Hardware cloth or bird spikes around targeted areas
  
  

• Stucco patching and color matching to repair and protect damaged spots
  
  

4. Repair and Paint

Fill and repaint damaged holes quickly to discourage repeated pecking. Woodpeckers often return to the same spot if it’s left exposed.

5. Control Insect Infestations

Since woodpeckers feed on insects, treating your home for carpenter ants, beetles, and larvae can make it less appealing.

Tree Protection Tips

Woodpeckers sometimes target trees for food or nesting. To protect your landscape:

• Wrap trunks with tree guards or mesh around the damaged area.
  
  

• Trim dead or infested branches.
  
  

• Avoid using sticky or toxic substances that can harm birds or other wildlife.
  
  

Professional Woodpecker Control in Calgary

If woodpeckers keep returning or have already caused visible damage, it’s time to call a professional.

At Pest Pro Calgary, we provide humane and compliant woodpecker control solutions that protect both your home and local wildlife. Our technicians:

• Identify the cause (insects, nesting, or drumming behavior)
  
  

• Repair and patch damage (including stucco color matching)
  
  

• Install safe deterrents and exclusion barriers
  
  

• Offer long-term prevention strategies
  
  

We ensure all services follow Canadian wildlife protection laws for a responsible and lasting solution.

Quick Summary: Woodpecker Prevention Tips

• Inspect your home for insect infestations and repair damaged areas
  
  

• Use reflective deterrents, decoys, and sound devices
  
  

• Install physical barriers over problem spots
  
  

• Patch holes immediately to prevent re-pecking
  
  

• Call licensed professionals for humane removal and prevention
  
  

Serving Calgary and Area

Pest Pro Calgary proudly serves:
Calgary | Airdrie | Okotoks | Cochrane | Chestermere | Strathmore

Contact us today for humane, legal, and effective woodpecker deterrent services.
Keep your home safe — and your siding intact — the right way.