Woodpecker Behavior, the Key to Cost-Effective Deterrence
A cost-effective woodpecker deterrence program requires an understanding of woodpecker behavior and an answer to the question, "Why do they attack a treated wood pole?"
Most wild birds and animals spend a large portion of their time foraging for food. While the techniques employed in this search vary widely, the woodpecker’s resounding rat-tat-tat is distinctive. Mastered through thousands of years of evolution, woodpeckers use their highly-developed, built-in sonic testing device, their pecker, in what seems to be a never ending search for food.
Woodpeckers feeding patterns are well documented and systematic. The following is a simplified explanation of this behavior: Once the woodpecker has selected a tree, he methodically pecks (sonic tests) its entire length looking for voids under the surface of the wood. Experience has taught them that the presence of these voids can lead to their favorite meal - BUGS.
Once a void has been located, pecking is initiated in an effort to drive the insects out for a quick meal. If insects don’t appear, additional pecking ensues to provide the insects with an exit hole from which the woodpecker can feed. Referred to as "peck-outs" or "foraging holes", these smaller holes are important as they provide a visual indicator of the most promising locations for future feeding activities. Better said, THEY WILL BE BACK!
How do dead and decaying trees relate to treated wood poles? Wood poles don’t have voids that contain insects --- or do they? Let’s look at this question from the woodpecker’s perspective.
Wood pole processing, in general, consists of selecting and cutting the tree, peeling away the bark, drying it, then treating it with chemical preservatives. Anyone that has purchased 2x4’s from a lumber yard knows that when wood dries it shrinks and cracks. This same cracking phenomenon occurs in treated wood poles, both internally and externally. Externally, the cracks are visible. Internally, cracks or voids are created by separations along the tree’s ring lines. Referred to as "shakes", these appear to hold the answer to why a woodpecker will attack a treated wood pole.
Results of tests run by two electric utilities provides an insight into the significance of shakes on woodpecker activity. The tests involved evaluating a number of new wood poles for the presence and location of shakes. In one case an x-ray device was used to locate these voids and in the other the poles were sounded with a hammer. In both cases, the poles were then put into service. After several years, an inventory was taken of woodpecker activity on these poles, and the results correlated against the previously identified shakes. Correlations as high as 80% were reported between wood shakes and woodpecker activity. It appears that woodpeckers are interpreting wood shakes as potential sources of food!
The IPOLE-WPK was developed to repair the damage to utility poles caused by woodpeckers. The IPOLE-WPK Deterrent System is designed to safely and harmlessly deter them from pecking on the poles.
This write-up was part of a larger article written by ICORP president Phil Landers. You can view it here.
