Have you tried sleeping in and jolted out of bed by the sound of drilling on metal? If so, that is from the Northern Flicker which is a woodpecker. Early in spring, the males arrive first from their wintering grounds to establish their territories. To do this they tap repeatedly on metal rooftop vents and chimneys to produce this sound, known as drumming. Flickers drum to alert other Flickers that they claim the area as their territory and to entice a mate. If you searched Northern Flickers Causing Damage, you’re in the right place. Northern Colorado Pest and Wildlife Control’s expert technicians know how to help. Call today if you’re concerned about Northern Flickers.
The Problem With Northern Flickers
Northern Flickers can be challenging to work with. Success often depends on how long the problem has been going on. Customers that tend to wait for years before calling don’t usually get as much relief as a customer that calls immediately. There are two main methods for controlling the Northern Flickers. The first approach is to try deterrents that scare the bird(s) away from the area. This approach succeeds most often when done as soon as the bird(s) show up. In cases where the birds have already established a hole, we recommend trapping. Trapping itself poses its own unique challenges since the birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Because the birds are protected, the customer must file for a permit with the USFWS to legally trap and have the bird if or when trapped. At Northern Colorado Pest and Wildlife Control, we’ll assist you with the application process and make it as smooth as possible.
Northern Flickers Northern Colorado
A typical service for Northern Flickers begins with an inspection to identify holes or damage that has already been created. The field technician will ask you numerous questions about how long the problem has been going on and your expectations. The USFWS likes for us to make a non-lethal attempt at discouraging the birds from the property using deterrents before we attempt trapping. However, in severe cases where there are multiple holes one might risk additional damage by simply moving the birds from the hole to hole and before long there will be many more holes than when the job started. At Northern Colorado Pest and Wildlife Control, our goal is to minimize the risk and damage to the property. We use our experience and knowledge to prepare the best plan for each individual situation.
Northern Flickers Causing Damage? We Can Help
If the deterrents work that is a win for both the customer and the technician and we can provide some temporary exclusion to prevent other birds or squirrels from getting inside the hole. We always recommend that a handyman replace the stucco or wood in situations where the Northern Flicker caused damage. If the deterrents don’t work, we will help you file for a permit and begin trapping. Trapping is difficult and we cannot guarantee the capture of any Northern Flicker, but with established holes they live in, we have a high success rate of the birds being trapped. It’s unfortunate, but if we trap a Northern Flicker it will be euthanized since they are migratory. It would be nice to relocate the birds but if we do, they are territorial, and you run the risk of getting the bird back.
Tired of Northern Flickers Causing Damage to your home? Call your local pros at Northern Colorado Pest and Wildlife Control where we have extensive experience working with these difficult birds.