How to Install Woodpecker Deterrents on Telephone Poles!

Keeping woodpeckers away from telephone & utility poles should be approached like any other bird control campaign. Timing is critical as woodpeckers are more apt to leave a briefly occupied site rather than an established roost. Also, keep in mind that all woodpecker scare products work best when used in combination with each other as they increase the bird’s fear and flight response to the perceived predator threat.

Pileated woodpecker on a utility pole.

The most common woodpecker species & the damage caused to utility poles

The United States is home to a variety of woodpeckers, but the most common damage-causing woodpeckers to telephone poles are: the red-bellied woodpecker, acorn woodpecker, downy woodpecker, hairy woodpecker, northern flicker and the pileated woodpecker. The damage caused by these pest birds is not only unsightly, but it creates a safety hazard for the linesmen who have to climb these weakened structures. The primary cause of damage to power poles is caused when woodpeckers create a nesting or food storage cavity in the poles. The resulting damage is often so severe that utility workers cannot make needed repairs. Moreover, left unchecked, the pole will either fall down or be so deteriorated that it would be impossible to climb.

Woodpecker telephone pole deterrents and how to install them  
 
The key to successfully keeping woodpeckers off of wooden utility poles is to use a combination of woodpecker scare products and when possible, try to employ the deterrents before the pole becomes as established roosting site.  

Holographic Owl with swivel bracket on a power pole.

Woodpecker Decoy Life-Life Woodpecker Deterrent

Start by locating the area where the woodpeckers are drilling. If there is more than one location on the pole, then that will also have to be addressed. Once the woodpecker problem areas are established, mount the new Woodpecker Decoy Effigy Life-Life Woodpecker Deterrent near the nesting or drilling location(s). The Woodpecker Decoy Power Pole is a life-size double-sided image of the Pileated Woodpecker has been used successfully on power poles to warn encroaching birds that the pole is 'occupied territory'. 

Next, on the opposite site of the wooden utility pole, install a Gull-Cat Bird Scare Decoy facing downward on the pole or a Holographic Owl with Swivel Bracket. Both of these products have been proven to be highly successful at deterring woodpeckers by reflecting light emissions at the pest birds. The Swivel Bracket is used for mounting because visual bird deterrents are more effective when they are allowed to move freely in the wind and reflect sunlight at the pest birds.

If the telephone pole is an established roosting site with particularly stubborn woodpeckers, we recommend gluing or screwing on Bird Free Bird Repellent Gel or BirdFire Optical Gel pre-loaded dishes around the problem areas. The BirdFire Optical Gel dishes should be spaced about every 6 to 8 inches apart. BirdFire Optical Gel deters woodpeckers by appearing as a flame to approaching birds.

NOTE: Woodpeckers are persistent and territorial. Audio / Visual Re-enforcement is recommended in addition to decoys to create a more realistic impression of predators and competition in the zone you want to protect.

For specific advice, email mark@birdsgottago.com with brief description of roosting conditions.

No single product stands alone; a combination of Bird deterrents must be used with repeated reinforcement as necessary

BirdsGottaGo.com
1-855-741-3222

Stop Woodpeckers from Damaging Utility Poles with Bird Scare Devices

Federally protected Woodpeckers have been thorns in the utility industries' back for years due to the inordinate amount of damage they cause to utility poles. This damage is not only unsightly but it creates a safety hazard for the linesmen who have to climb these weakened structures. Woodpeckers like to peck into utility poles for a variety of reasons.  A common theory is that communication poles offer a great vantage point to view the surrounding areas for available food or potential predators. Woodpeckers use utility poles for drumming - a signal to attract a mate or to establish territory. However, the primary cause of damage is to create a nesting or food storage cavity. The resulting damage is often so severe that utility workers cannot make needed repairs. Moreover, left unchecked the pole will either fall down or be so deteriorated that it would be impossible to climb.

 
Poles damaged by woodpeckers are also responsible for power failures, creating electrical power outages.

All are major problems for the utility companies which results in millions of dollars in damage and ongoing safety risks.

Failed Bird Control methods -

Over the years a number of audio & visual bird deterrents have been used unsuccessfully to control woodpeckers from damaging utility poles  - owl and snake effigy's, scare balloons, single speaker non specific audio or worse ultrasonic systems.  Birds typically do not respond to both of these systems and quickly habituate to these devices and return to their previous activities.

Prevent woodpecker damage to Utility poles

State of the art bird control visual systems are now available with increased success. The Firefly BirdFlight Diverter is currently in use worldwide to deter birds from transmission & distribution power lines, cell  & MET towers.  The Holographic Owl is considered the primary deterrent for residential use against acorn, downy and other woodpecker species. This bird control product moves in the slightest breeze and have color properties that scientifically affect avian vision.  A stationary called the Woodpecker Decoy is a life-size double-sided image of the Pileated Woodpecker has been used successfully on power poles to warn encroaching birds that the pole is ' occupied territory'.  The new Gull-Scare Cat Decoy can also be mounted facing down to scare off woodpeckers with the threat of a predator in the area.

 

New woodpecker & pest bird deterrent is the BirdFire Optical Gel, which affects all pest bird species by triggering multiple sensory responses. First, the material emits a UV light to make it appear as a flame to approaching birds. Stick the pre-loaded dishes near and around the woodpecker problem areas!

There are now non toxic repellents that have proven to be both significantly effective and environmentally friendly. The Woodpecker Paint & Stain Additive have a 25 year history for residential use. Both products would have a mitigating effect against woodpecker damage. A new Woodpecker control product is the Optical Bird Gel which is installed in dishes and can be glued around the problem area.

Contact us at mark@birdsgottago.com with details about your bird problem and we can work with you to determine the best bird control products to deter the birds from your property.

BirdsGottaGo.com

1-855-741-3222