Damage to cedar siding on house

10 years ago

My husband and I just closed on our house a week ago. I
noticed when I went outside that there was some damage to part of the cedar
siding on the back of the garage. We were told the cedar siding is new and I
don't recall our inspector (who was VERY thorough) commenting at all about
damage to the siding when we had it inspected about a month ago. I thought
maybe woodpeckers. I've seen other info online about carpenter bees. Any idea
on what it actually is and how we go about repairing it? I'm a little concerned
now that there seems to be a hole or two in the damaged area. There is a
wasp/bees nest in the corner near the area however that's different from
carpenter bees. Please help!

3. This is a different spot but doesn't look quite the same. Is this the same issue in a different location or something else entirely?

Featured Answer

Pines Everywhere

10 years ago

I am no expert but I have remodeled a cedar shake shed and cedar shake home. We have many holes like this. The woodpeckers start them ... seem to keep pecking at the same one again and again ... then, unfortunately wasps move in. --- Ahhh in one hole we suspected bats but couldn't confirm.

All solvable. Keep an eye on the holes to see what is living there and pick a time and "chemical" to eradicate. The wasps are dormant in early morning and that is the best time to spray -- did it over a couple days than caulked up the hole, primed, touched up the paint. The woodpeckers seem to find the exposed wood and go for insects in cracks between slats/shutters. My two cents -- maybe others have more!

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Comments (7)

kudzu9
10 years ago
That doesn't look like woodpecker damage, but it does look like insect problems.
Stephanie C thanked kudzu9
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kudzu9
10 years ago
I'll revise my comment to say that it could be both insect infestation and subsequent woodpecker damage. However, most damage I've had to my cedar siding from woodpeckers has been deep, circular holes on siding where they can get a good grip. I'm just not sure that a woodpecker could easily cling to the locations you've shown to do the dirty work. Have you ever heard any of the characteristic rapping sounds that woodpeckers make?

As for repairs, there are good two-part epoxy products you can use to repair the damage, but you first need to determine if you have a current insect problem. Here is a link to a video on how these products work: Abatron
Stephanie C thanked kudzu9
Stephanie C
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks. I ended up having an exterminator come out this afternoon because I have noticed some carpenter ants in the house, mostly upstairs/on the stairs. He came around the corner to see that part of siding and instantly said, oh yeah, that's woodpeckers. But the fact that there are a couple of holes there now could make access for other pests/insects. We did get sprayed and he will be back in a few weeks for phase 2 which will kill them all off then. Apparently the ants are coming into the house because of a couple of trees in the front that are touching the house and we just need to trim them back. I appreciate the feedback and suggestions for how to patch up the damage.
PRO
Sombreuil
10 years ago
I suspect woodpeckers or paper wasps/carpenter bees.
User
10 years ago
I'd guess woodpeckers.
Debra O'Brien
12 days ago
Glad you found the problem, we have the same issue and sprayed twice by a company and hopefully this time they will be gone! Getting cedar tore down and vinyl siding installed.