Bird pecking on trees can be a frustrating problem for homeowners and gardeners. Birds like woodpeckers, nuthatches, and sapsuckers peck trees for food and to create nesting or roosting holes. While this is natural behavior for birds, it can damage or even kill trees over time. There are several effective solutions to deter birds from pecking that are harmless to both birds and trees.
Why Do Birds Peck on Trees?
Birds peck on trees for a few reasons:
- Food – Birds drill holes in tree bark to get to insect larvae and sap underneath.
- Nesting – Cavities created by pecking are used for nesting and raising young.
- Roosting – Holes are used for roosting and shelter during the day and night.
- Courtship Display – Woodpeckers drum on trees to establish territory and attract mates.
Common culprits of tree pecking problems include:
- Woodpeckers – Northern flickers, downy woodpeckers, hairy woodpeckers, red-bellied woodpeckers
- Sapsuckers – Yellow-bellied sapsuckers, red-breasted sapsuckers
- Nuthatches – White-breasted nuthatches, red-breasted nuthatches
While pecking is an innate habit for these birds, when it excessive it can injure trees.
Damage from Bird Pecking
Bird pecking may not seem like a big deal at first. However over time, repeated pecking in the same areas can have negative impacts:
- Damaged Bark – Can strip away protective bark, expose the cambium
- Cambium Exposure – Makes trees vulnerable to insects and disease
- Weakened Limbs – Repeated damage can cause limbs to crack and break
- Stunted Growth – Chronic pecking inhibits nutrient transport
- Tree Death – Girdling from pecking can cut off nutrient flow entirely
Sapsuckers also make holes in neat horizontal and vertical rows that can tap nutrient-rich sap. Large amounts of sap loss stresses trees.
It is best to take action to stop birds from pecking to prevent long term damage.
Solutions to Stop Bird Pecking
There are several effective and humane solutions to stop birds from pecking on trees:
Remove Food Sources
Birds are drawn to peck on trees with existing insect infestations, sap flows, and fruit/nut sources. Removing these food sources can deter pecking:
- Control insect problems – Reduce borers, beetles, caterpillars that attract birds
- Prune or treat sap flows – Prune off affected limbs or repair sapsucker damage
- Clean up fallen nuts and fruit – Pick up promptly to avoid drawing birds
- Manage nectar sources – Reduce hummingbird feeders/flower beds near pecked trees
Eliminating food rewards reduces the incentive for birds to return and peck repeatedly. However birds may still peck occasionally. Additional deterrents can provide added protection.
Install Physical Barriers
Physical barriers can block birds from landing on trees and pecking:
- Netting – Enclose trees loosely in bird netting, secured at the base
- Hardware cloth – Wrap hardware cloth around tree trunks and branches
- Naphthalene – Hang naphthalene moth balls near pecked areas
- Foil wraps – Encircle trunks with reflective tape or aluminum foil
These barriers provide full coverage to prevent access. However they must be maintained carefully to avoid girdling trees as they grow.
Use Visual Repellents
Visual scare devices can frighten birds and make them avoid pecked trees:
- Scare tape – Hang shiny mylar tape near pecked spots
- Scare eyes – Hang fake predator eyes facing pecked areas
- Scare owls – Position owl decoys in or around trees
- Hawk kites – Fly hawk-shaped kites in yards with pecked trees
These tools mimic predators to trigger fear and alarm in problem birds. They are most effective when moved around frequently.
Apply Chemical Repellents
Certain chemical repellents make trees unappealing to prevent pecking:
- Capsaicin – Apply chili pepper derived repellent on pecked areas
- Methyl anthranilate – Use artificial grape flavoring repellent
- Garlic oil – Coat pecked surfaces with pungent garlic oil
- Insecticidal soap – Spray lightly soaped water on pecked bark
Reapply after rain to maintain protection. Avoid getting chemicals on any fruits.
Use Noise Repellents
Audio repellents that mimic alarm calls or predator sounds can frighten problem birds:
- Scare call devices – Broadcast BirdX, BirdBgone distress calls
- Motion sprinklers – Spray water when triggered to startle birds
- Sonic spikes – Emit painful ultrasonic noise when birds perch
Move devices every few days so birds don’t become accustomed. Use timers or motion sensors so sounds are unpredictable.
Apply Tree Wraps/Coatings
Protective physical covers can be applied directly to pecked areas:
- Burlap – Wrap at-risk tree trunks in breathable burlap
- Wire mesh – Cover damaged bark with 1/4 inch wire mesh
- Woofing – Adhere flexible wood veneer sheets around trunks
- Latex coating – Paint flexible latex paint over pecked bark
Monitor wraps for girdling and remove/expand as needed. Keep coatings thin to allow air circulation.
Offer Chew Toys
Providing safe chew toys on trees gives birds an alternative to pecking:
- Suet feeders – Hang suet cages stuffed with suet, nuts, seeds
- Pine cones coated in peanut butter/suet – Impale cones on trees
- Wood clumps – Affix wood pieces, small logs, or clumps of twigs and sticks on trunks and branches
Alternatives should be placed on undamaged parts of trees to avoid encouraging more pecking.
Use Nesting/Roosting Boxes
Giving birds proper housing reduces the need to peck for nesting holes:
- Woodpecker boxes – Install appropriately sized nesting boxes where woodpeckers are active
- General boxes – Mount nesting boxes for general cavity using species
- Roosting pouches – Place specialty roosting bags in trees for smaller birds
Locate boxes away from trees damaged by pecking if possible.
Choosing the Best Method
The most effective approach against tree pecking uses multiple tactics tailored for the situation. Consider the following factors:
Bird Identification
Identify the problem bird species to select suitable deterrents:
Species | Deterrents |
---|---|
Woodpeckers | Suet feeders, nesting boxes, visual repellents, sound repellents |
Sapsuckers | Prune sap flows, visual repellents, taste repellents |
Nuthatches | Insect control, sound repellents, physical barriers |
Type of Damage
Factor in how and where the tree is being pecked:
Damage Type | Solutions |
---|---|
Isolated pecking | Spot treat pecked areas with barriers, wraps, repellents |
Feeding pecks | Remove food rewards, offer chew toys |
Regular damage across tree | Full physical barriers, scare devices, boxes |
Tree Location
Opt for humane solutions if pecking is on trees near bird feeders or baths.
Time of Year
Avoid deterrents during nesting season if possible. Monitor deciduous trees for pecking when leaves drop.
Tree Health
Use extra care with wraps, coatings, and repellents on weakened or thin-barked trees.
Conclusion
Bird pecking can be a tricky problem, but there are many effective deterrent options to protect trees humanely. The key is using a multifaceted approach tailored for the specific situation. Remove food rewards, install physical barriers, apply repellents, and scare birds away with sounds and sights. Wrap or coat heavily damaged areas for added protection. Provide substitute sources of food, housing, and chewing. Monitor trees year round and take prompt action against new pecking to prevent irreparable harm. With persistence and consistency using multiple methods, bird pecking damage can be stopped while maintaining a bird friendly yard.