Woodpeckers - New Home

[HouseMaster]

Originally Posted by songkrai

Fancy all new Adirondack style home constructed on big lake by a known quality builder. All new foundation, well, septic.

Cedar shake shingles for siding. Pine/fur trim. Clear stain applied.

What appears to be woodpecker holes on pine/fur trim and a few smaller ones on cedar shake siding. Only on one side of home.

Home is about 1.5 years old and this just showed up this year/Fall. Never any insect issues at home.

Any ideas as to why woodpeckers would peck on a new home?

This is sometimes attributed to the presence of carpenter bees. The bees lay there eggs in chambers within the wood where the larvae begin to grow. Birds, especially woodpeckers, can hear the movement of the larvae and will destroy the wood structure as they excavate the larvae.

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