Bird Damage
Woodpeckers and other birds seem to like EIFS Stucco
I am not really sure why the woodpeckers like EIFS stucco so much. I originally thought it was because moisture had gotten behind the system and they were feeding on bugs. That has not stood up to my years of testing in the field. Actually, I believe for the woodpeckers, it has to do with the roosting season. It seems the other birds are more interested in the hole after the woodpecker makes it, for the most part anyways.
Other Birds
I found the other birds pull the foam out to build their nest, or use the hole as a nest. I have watched them tunnel out several feet of foam and live right inside the synthetic stucco wall. Patching the hole is relatively simple, but just patching the hole is not always acceptable. Sure, after patching the hole it prevents water from entering the system and therefore functionally, it works, however, most customers do not want to look at an ugly patch on their home.
Synthetic Stucco Woodpecker Damages
Blending a patch into the existing wall and not being able to see it once you are done is next to impossible. Typically, if a customer wants the wall to look like it had never happened, you would have to redo the entire wall the hole is on. I have found over the years most commercial building owners can live with a patch on the building and homeowners want it to look new again. Repairing the damages is really just half the battle.
Bird Deterents
Keeping the birds from doing it again can be a real challenge. After deterring the woodpeckers away, in most cases, they will roost at a nearby location. When someone chases them away from there, odds are, they find their way back after a season or two. There are a lot of different woodpecker deterrents out there that people buy. Just to let you know, most of them don’t work. Your best bet is the pie tin in the farmers field technique. When I say that, I mean use something that reflects the sun and blows in the wind. The most reflective thing I have found is the reflective ribbon. It is important to hang the ribbon right where the hole was, allow it to blow in the wind, and reflect the sun. If the sun never hits it, it is not going to do a very good job of scaring the birds away. It is the sun reflecting off the ribbon that freaks the bird out.
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