Louisville, KY — We are receiving calls about woodpeckers drilling holes in cedar siding and trim. In almost every case inspected this week, the woodpeckers are not just pecking for fun—they are hunting for Carpenter Bee larvae.

This is a classic case of treating the symptom instead of the disease. If you chase away the woodpecker but ignore the bees, the birds will simply return.

The Cycle of Damage

1. The Carpenter Bee: In early spring, female carpenter bees drill perfectly round, 1/2-inch holes into wood (fascia boards, decks, siding) to lay their eggs. They create tunnels inside the wood and deposit larvae.
2. The Larvae: The larvae develop inside the wood tunnels. They are fat, juicy, and noisy.
3. The Woodpecker: Woodpeckers have excellent hearing. They land on your siding and hear the larvae moving inside the wood.
4. The Attack: To get to the food, the woodpecker pecks aggressively at the wood, shredding it to reach the tunnels. This creates large, messy, jagged holes that ruin the siding.

Identifying the Problem

• Bee Holes: Look for the neat, round holes on the underside of fascia boards or deck rails. You may see sawdust (frass) on the ground below.
• Staining: Look for yellowish-brown stains on the siding below the holes (bee excrement).
• Woodpecker Damage: Look for long, jagged gashes along the grain of the wood, often exposing the bee tunnels inside.

The Solution

You must break the cycle by eliminating the food source.

1. Treat the Bees: The carpenter bee tunnels must be treated with an insecticidal dust that kills the bees and the larvae.
2. Seal the Holes: Once the activity has ceased (usually after a few days), the holes must be sealed with wood putty or corks to prevent re-infestation.
3. Deter the Birds: While the bees are being treated, visual deterrents like flash tape or balloons can help keep woodpeckers away temporarily.

Prevention

Carpenter bees prefer unpainted, weathered wood. Painting or staining your wood trim adds a layer of protection that makes it less attractive to bees.

If your home is under attack, don’t just patch the woodpecker holes. Call a pest control professional to treat the carpenter bees first. Critter Removal of Louisville can help identify the issue and refer you to trusted pest control partners for insect treatment, while we handle the bird deterrence.