Why Woodpeckers Drill Holes in Houses and What to Do
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Woodpeckers drill holes in houses for four main reasons: to reach insects hiding in the siding, to dig a nest, to mark a territory by drumming, and to make a roosting hole for winter. The person typing why do woodpeckers drill holes in houses usually wants to know which reason applies to their home and whether the damage is serious. Two university and state wildlife sources we opened answer that question. Neither source names a single product that stops the birds, so the fixes below are general repair and exclusion steps.
Quick answer
- Woodpeckers drill house siding to find insects, to build nests, to claim territory, and sometimes to make winter roosts.
- Rough-sawn plywood siding is the most common target. The birds leave long, evenly spaced rows of holes.
- Drumming holes are usually small dents clustered near corners, trim and fascia. Roosting and nesting holes go deeper.
- Find and fix the insect problem, seal exposed gaps, and check local rules before you harm or remove any woodpecker.
The four reasons woodpeckers attack a house
Iowa State University Extension lists four reasons a woodpecker drums on house siding: “to obtain food (insects) within the siding, to build a nest, to establish a male’s territory, or just for the heck of it.” Each reason leaves a different kind of mark, so the pattern of holes is a useful clue.
Feeding on insects in the siding
The most common cause of serious damage is food. Wildlife Illinois notes that “Buildings with wooden siding or wooden shakes or shingles often have insects hiding underneath the wood.” A woodpecker that hears or senses larvae inside the wall will keep drilling until it reaches them. Iowa State describes the typical case: rough-sawn plywood siding that has been grooved to look like board and batten. The grooves can expose gaps between the inner layers of the plywood. Leafcutter bees may nest in those gaps during spring and summer. Woodpeckers then find the bee larvae and work along the line.
Iowa State says the result is “a series of evenly-spaced holes through the face of the plywood in long, straight rows.” The holes are about half an inch apart and about half an inch in diameter, and they reach the middle layers of the plywood. This is why the damage often looks like a neat line of holes rather than random pecks.
Drumming to mark territory
Drumming is a different behavior. Wildlife Illinois explains that “Woodpeckers can’t sing, but they still need to attract a mate and let other woodpeckers know a territory is taken. So they hammer on trees, poles, or buildings with their bills, which makes a loud, distinct drumming sound.” The source adds that this is most common in early spring but can continue through the nesting season. The holes are typically “small, shallow holes or dents found clustered in wooden siding, usually along the corners of the building, along fascia or trim boards.”
Drumming is usually a surface problem. A house can often tolerate it, but the noise can be unpleasant at dawn, and repeated drumming can still damage the surface over time.
Nesting and roosting holes
Nesting and roosting holes are deeper. Wildlife Illinois says that “Houses with natural wood or dark stain, particularly those that are near wooded areas, are prone to having woodpeckers drill nesting or roosting holes.” It also gives the timing: “Nesting holes are usually made in April or May. Roosting holes are usually drilled in late summer or fall so that the woodpecker will have a warm place to stay during the winter.”
The source describes what the bird does next: “The woodpecker will drill through the siding, sheathing, and plywood layers until it reaches the insulation. There the woodpecker hollows out a small space in the insulation to use as the nest or roosting site.” It adds that the first hole often does not work, so a bird may drill several holes before it finds a spot it likes. A cluster of deep holes near the eaves or under a gable is a sign to look more closely.
How to tell which cause you have
The shape and location of the holes usually point to the cause. The table below uses only the descriptions in the two sources.
| Pattern | Likely cause (per the sources) | Where it usually shows |
|---|---|---|
| Long, evenly spaced rows of holes in plywood | Feeding on insect larvae, often leafcutter bee larvae in grooved plywood | Face of rough-sawn plywood siding |
| Small, shallow dents | Drumming to mark territory or attract a mate | Corners, fascia, trim boards |
| Deeper holes that reach insulation | Nesting in spring or roosting in late summer and fall | Natural wood or dark-stained siding, often near woods |
Wildlife Illinois notes that the holes are not always a sign of a single cause, so an inspection should look at the whole wall, not one spot.
What to do about the damage
Find and fix the insect problem first
If the holes are feeding holes, the birds are after insects. Iowa State is direct about the plywood case: “The best prevention, in my opinion, is to examine plywood siding and plug with caulk any gaps exposed along the routed grooves.” That step removes the hiding places before the larvae can attract a woodpecker. The same extension page says there is no effective chemical control for the bee problem and that spraying plants where the bees forage is not a practical answer.
Wildlife Illinois also points out that the siding may hide insects that are damaging the wood itself. If you see sawdust, soft wood or many holes in one area, an inspection for wood-boring insects or moisture damage is a reasonable next step. The sources we opened do not say which insect species to look for on a given house, so a local pest professional or extension office is the right contact for that question.
Repair the surface
Once the holes are no longer active, Iowa State says that “Damaged siding can be replaced or the surface holes patched and stained.” For small dents, patching and staining is the simplest step. For a long row of holes through plywood, replacing the damaged panels may be the only practical fix. The extension source does not give a product or a brand, and it does not say how long a patch will last, so the reader should treat that as something to check on the house itself.
Make the surface less attractive
Woodpeckers may return to a spot that has worked before. Wildlife Illinois notes that natural wood and dark stain attract these birds, and that homes near woods are more exposed. Sealing gaps, painting or staining the wood, and keeping trim tight can reduce the appeal of the surface. These steps are general advice from the sources; neither source claims that any one finish will stop a woodpecker.
Offer food away from the house
If the bird is feeding on insects, a source of food away from the wall may help draw it off, but neither source we opened tests this. We cannot confirm that a feeder or suet cage will keep a woodpecker off a house. If you try this, put the food well away from the siding so the birds are not drawn to the wall. Our guides on hanging a bird feeder away from the house and keeping squirrels off bird feeders cover placement and access in more detail.
Do not harm the bird
Woodpeckers are protected birds. Iowa State states that “Woodpeckers are protected birds and cannot be legally killed.” Removing a nest or roost can also be restricted during nesting season. Check your state and federal wildlife rules before you remove a nest, plug a hole that a bird is using, or try any control method. If a bird is roosting in the wall, wait until the birds have left before you seal the hole.
How we chose
We limited this guide to sources that describe the cause of woodpecker holes in houses and the repair steps for them. We opened two readable pages: the Iowa State University Extension encyclopedia entry on woodpecker damage to homes, and the Wildlife Illinois guide to holes in wooden siding or shingles. Both pages were opened on 2026-10-30. We quoted the sentences in this post from the fetched text. We did not use commercial pest-control or contractor blogs for any factual claim.
What we could not verify
- Which woodpecker species made the holes on a given house. Both sources say the downy woodpecker is a common cause in the plywood case, but they do not identify a species for every house.
- Whether any product, such as netting, flashing or a deterrent, stops woodpeckers. The sources we opened do not test or recommend a product.
- How much a specific repair costs, or how long a patch will last.
- Whether a feeder or suet cage away from the house reduces damage. Neither source we opened covers that claim.
- The local rules that apply where you live. Check your state and local wildlife agency.
Frequently asked questions
Why does a woodpecker keep coming back to the same house?
Wildlife Illinois says that when woodpeckers drill roosting or nesting holes, the first hole often does not work out, and the bird may drill several holes until it finds the right spot. Roosting holes are usually started in late summer or fall. A bird that has found insects in the siding may return to the same wall for the same reason. The sources do not say how long a bird will keep returning, so monitoring the wall after repairs is the best check.
Is drumming dangerous to the house?
Drumming usually makes small, shallow dents. Wildlife Illinois describes these as “small, shallow holes or dents” clustered along corners, fascia and trim. The sources do not say that drumming alone will cause structural damage, but repeated drumming can wear the surface, so it is worth patching the dents once the birds have moved on.
Are the holes always from woodpeckers?
No. Wildlife Illinois says that small holes in wooden siding are often caused by woodpeckers, which uses the word “often,” not “always.” A close look at the pattern, and any signs of insects or moisture, helps narrow the cause. If you are not sure, an inspection by a local professional is a reasonable step.
Should I put up a feeder to keep woodpeckers off the house?
The sources we opened do not say that a feeder reduces house damage. We can say that feeder placement matters, and that a feeder should be set away from the wall. Our guides on pole-mounted bird feeders and a simple DIY bird feeder cover setup, and neither makes a claim about house damage.
Can I remove a woodpecker nest from my wall?
Be careful. Woodpeckers are protected, and the rules for removing a nest or roost can depend on the season and your state. Wait until the birds have left the cavity before you seal it, and check local wildlife rules first.
Bottom line
Read the pattern before you repair. Rows of holes in plywood point to insects, shallow clusters point to drumming, and deep holes point to nesting or roosting. Fix the cause that the pattern suggests, seal gaps, and check the rules before you touch an active site.
Sources
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, “Woodpecker Damage to Homes,” https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/encyclopedia/woodpecker-damage-homes (opened 2026-10-30)
- Wildlife Illinois, “Holes in wooden siding or shingles,” https://wildlifeillinois.org/solve-wildlife-problems/holes-in-wooden-siding-or-shingles/ (opened 2026-10-30)
