How Can You Get a Woodpecker to Keep Quiet?
@bagarad (14283)
Paso Robles, California
October 13, 2011 3:38pm CST
Since I got up this morning, a woodpecker has been rat-a-tat-tatting on the overhang outside my office window. It's driving me nuts. He will probably keep doing it on a daily basis, as he has in past years, until the men in white coats carry me away. As most of you know, I like to write in a nice quiet environment. Right now my only option is to try to drown the noise out with music or a fan, but even that may not do it.
Does anyone know how I can convince this bird to go back to the trees he is supposed to be eating the insects out of? Less than a year ago that overhang was fumigated, so there shouldn't be a lot left in that wood for him to eat. Some have suggested he is making the noise to try to attract a mate. What do you think?
6 people like this
12 responses
@BarBaraPrz (45685)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
13 Oct 11
Have you tried squirting him with water?
2 people like this
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
15 Oct 11
I think something shiny like cd discs hung around the area may perhaps repel your new friend.. good luck!!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157918)
• United States
13 Oct 11
I do not know about hunting for a mate. I do know that a garden center told me a holographic ribbon would scare birds away. I have had young male cardinals in the past repeatedly crash into windows. I think you could get the same effect if you have some old CD's like the ones aol gave away free and hang them on fishing line. I have heard of this before. Good luck.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
15 Oct 11
You could bang things together or you could use or get a cat or a dog. But then you will have another problem, the dog barking all the time and the cat wanting to come in and out and bringing you mice as gifs. I think you are right about the mate though. I was wondering whether to get a recording of a cat's meow or a dog barking, and aim the sound outside so it does not disturb you.
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
14 Oct 11
Try getting him to try out on a softwood tree for a change!
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
15 Oct 11
Sorry...but I think his constant "rat-a-tat-tat" is trying to tell you something...VERY LOUD and clear! You do have another invasion of some form of insect or other, even tho' you have been fumigated...more than likely another species has moved in! The one thing about Mother Nature's children...they don't waste their energy on nefarious things, like human's. Take a moment to watch him, and you will see him listening carefully. His drumming is telling you something that needs attending to, I'll bet!
