How do you get rid of woodpeckers?

[Gray Wolf]

The snow has almost melted and the woodpeckers are back pounding on the house and shop. We must have the only sexy sounding buildings and metal roofs for a long way around.

I can't shoot them on the buildings and can only hit them on the fly once in a while.

Aside from becoming a better wingshooter, how does everyone else keep woodpeckers off their buildings during mating season?

[Glacialtill]

I've seen woodpeckers pounding on roofs and trucks and other noisy things during the spring. Flickers mostly. I think it's cool. I like birds. They should stop soon after they attract a mate.

Hanging shiny things apparently help deter them. Fake owls. Whatnot.

A couple links:

http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Woodpeckers

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/wp_about/control.html

Shooting them is illegal without a federal and state permit.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/woodpeckers.html

[Rustaholic]

Use a pellet gun and shoot the building.

[Ponderosa]

Please don't kill them, they do so much more good than harm, especially if your area has any kind of bark beetle, birds are our friend.

[billinwv]

Heavy balloons with a large eye drawn on them. Have to replace every few days but cheap enough if you are "windy". Seriously, hang them around they work for birds and deer.

[Molly Mckee]

Woodpeckers are protected under the Migratory Bird Act. Be careful how you go about getting rid of them.

I would inspect my house carefully to make sure that the woodpeckers are not looking for insects that are in or under the siding on the house. They do drum looking for mates, but that usually does not hurt the siding. If they are after bugs, they will do damage.