Q: A woodpecker keeps drilling a hole into the siding beneath the eaves of my house. How can I chase him away?
A: The easiest way to get rid of the nuisance is probably to affix the area of infestation with something that will continue to scare away the woodpecker throughout the day. Trying hanging 12-in. aluminum pie pans around the spot where the woodpecker likes to cause its damage. The reflections in the aluminum will fool the woodpecker that a predator is nearby, discouraging the bird from sticking around. Similarly, you can tape up strips of black plastic that will blow in the wind—motion that should scare away the woodpecker. Once the woodpecker clears out for good, remove the plastic or pans, and don’t forget to fill and seal any holes it left in your siding.
