What should I do about the woodpecker that is chopping at my house?

 

I’ve been asked that question many times. I have good answers. 

 

Somehow, though, the bird shown here, a Downy Woodpecker, managed to open a large hole in the siding on the north side of our house, as you see, without my awareness. You’d think I would have heard the bird at work. It took him some time.

 

Now I have to patch the hole, and paint the patch. The hole is about 18 feet off the ground, which is on a significant slant. This makes my extension ladder unusable unless I buy extension legs. About $30 at Home Depot. 

 

Plus, I do not like ladders

 

Most of my suggestions for this problem, woodpecker hammering at house, involve ready access to the point of attack. That brings us back to the ladder.

 

Phooey.