Get matched with top bird control service pros in Deadwood, SD

Strong scents like peppermint, rosemary, lavender, citronella, and others can repel woodpeckers—as pungent smells can overpower their senses. For that reason, you might consider making a homemade spray with one or a combination of these scents to spritz around areas of your home where woodpeckers frequent.

Hanging wind chimes or motion-activated speakers near your home may be an effective way to deter woodpeckers, as sudden movement and sound often scare birds away. You could also try using reflective decorative items such as pinwheels or mirrors or placing decoys of large predatory birds in your yard. If these measures don’t deter the woodpeckers, you may need the help of a bird removal pro.

It can be difficult to know what type of animal is in your attic until you see it. But several clues can help you narrow down the suspects:

• Sounds: Smaller animals like rats and mice make scurrying and tapping/gnawing sounds. Larger animals like raccoons and opossums make louder clambering noises. Also, note when animals are noisy: Squirrels are active during the day, while rats are busiest at night.

• Droppings: Rats and mice leave small, rice-shaped droppings (the rat’s version is significantly larger). Bigger droppings belong to larger critters like raccoons. As long as you’re not squeamish, an image search can help you identify what you’re seeing in your attic.

When in doubt, take photos of damage or other evidence and show them to an experienced pest control pro.

You’ll want to call a licensed and insured wildlife removal company that offers:

• Full property inspection—indoor and outdoor

• Proper animal identification

• Written management plan with follow-up visits included

• Humane removal techniques

• Preventative exclusion measures

If it’s an emergency and you can’t wait, you’ll need to contact an emergency animal control company near you.