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When woodpeckers start banging on your walls or roof, they are probably looking for insects to eat, storing nuts for winter, drilling a hole to make a nest, or communicating with other birds to establish territory or find a mate.

The size of the hole can help determine the reason for the pecking. Small irregular holes are a result of insect hunts. Acorn holes are more consistently sized and often fitted with a nut in the middle. Nest holes are large and have rounded edges. If the bird is pecking to mark its territory or attract a mate, it may leave dents rather than holes, and the noise will stop when the mating season starts in spring.

Yes, predator decoys work to keep birds away, at least temporarily. However, if the decoy remains motionless in the same spot for a long enough time, the birds will eventually wise up and realize it's a fake. Keep changing the location of the predator decoy to ensure that the birds keep their guard up and maintain their distance.

The best time of year to remove bats is autumn until spring. In fact, many states have restrictions on bat removal, mandating it to start sometime in August and go up until May. For some states, the removal period stops in March. Your pest control pro should know of any restrictions and can help you pick an optimal time for removal.

Once the animals and their young are out of the house, remove the nest and locate any entry points. Some may be difficult to find because some animals can fit through very small holes. Once you’ve located as many entry points as possible, use materials such as metal or masonry to block off the entry. Ideally, you should choose materials that most animals cannot chew through. Create a one-way door or flap to allow animals to leave but not return. Additional methods include using repellants designed to make an area unappealing to the types of animals that find your home so inviting.