Get matched with top bird control service pros in Cochrane, WI

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.

The lifespan of a bird's nest depends on the species. The building process can take from two days to three weeks. Once built, the nesting period for baby birds can last from two to ten weeks before they leave the nest. While most young birds are ready in two to six weeks, some predatory species may need up to two and a half months. Some species nest four to five times per year, so a nest could remain in use for several months. For specific information about a particular nest's longevity, it is best to consult a wildlife professional.

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.

No single deterrent will work 100 percent of the time, so we suggest combining deterrents to ensure your seed has the best possible chance to grow. Using bird netting over your seed, with physical deterrents like mylar tape coupled with hanging bird feeders at the edges of your growing area—and removing any bird’s nests, if possible—will give your seeds the best possible chance for success.