<![CDATA[UNIVERSITREE LLC

This is a question that I get asked often. People want to know how to get rid of this pesky bird that is causing all the noise outside their home. The real question you should be asking is “WHY ARE THEY ON MY TREE!?”

Woodpeckers have a specific diet. They are not feeding on your tree. They are oftentimes finding a MEAL on your tree. This is not a good thing. If you have a tree that you notice is declining in health, it is probably insects at the root of the problem.

Insects, specifically “boring insects”, such as Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) deposit their eggs on the bark of your tree. When these eggs hatch, the premature insects called "larvae" burrow into your tree, feeding on the nutritious plant vascular tissue.

This insect feeding then causes noise that the woodpeckers can hear. The woodpeckers follow the borers along their chewing paths and intercept them by excavating the bark. They find the grub and now have a nutritious snack.

SO WHAT SHOULD I DO?
The woodpeckers are a problem likely caused by an insect infestation. You should consult with an arborist or tree inspector about the condition of your tree and determine whether an insecticide injection treatment is worth trying. When there are no more insects, there will be NO MORE WOODPECKERS.