There are some 200 species of woodpeckers around the world and at least 16 of these can be found in North America, not including four types of sapsuckers, Northern Flickers and the Gilded Flicker.
These birds have beaks that are like chisels, allowing them to bore holes into trees in order to locate food, signal to other birds, and nest. Their thick skulls and powerful neck muscles help them deliver blows to trees and other surfaces without damaging their bodies
Unfortunately, these birds can find their way into areas inhabited by humans and our homes and office buildings can become damaged as the woodpeckers and flickers bore holes into siding and EIFS stucco surfaces.
WHAT DOES EIFS BIRD DAMAGE LOOK LIKE?
EIFS is constructed in layers that typically consist of:
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1
A water-resistant barrier that covers the substrate
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2
A drainage plane between the WRB and the insulation board
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3
Insulation board that is usually made of an expanded polystyrene that is secured to the substrate
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4
Glass-fibre reinforced mesh that is embedded within the base coat
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5
Water-resistant base coat applied over the insulation that serves as a weather barrier
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6
A finishing coat that utilizes colourfast and crack-resistant acrylic copolymer
IS MY PROPERTY AT RISK OF BIRD DAMAGE?
A number of factors determine how susceptible a building is to woodpecker or flicker damage. Woodpeckers and flickers can be found in the majority of North America's most populated regions. The majority of the eastern United States and Canada are home to several species of woodpecker or flicker and the birds can also be found in the Pacific Northwest, throughout British Columbia and into the northern and wooded areas of the Canadian prairies. As climates throughout North America continue to change, birds are being found in new territories too.
When woodpeckers damage EIFS and create holes in the finishing, you will need to replace the entire panel. Often buildings have more than one damaged panel and we've seen anywhere between ten to three hundred holes in a building. The birds return annually, so it can cost tens of thousands of dollars to repair the woodpecker damage each year.
