Should I Kill Woodpeckers?

This means that you cannot kill, poison, shoot, or capture woodpeckers without a permit. Woodpeckers are beneficial birds and their elimination should be legal and safe. We don't recommend you to poison these birds as poison can bring the danger of secondary or accidental poisoning of humans and pets.

Is it against the law to kill woodpeckers?

It is illegal to kill woodpeckers. You need a special permit to kill these federally protected creatures because they are protected under the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Are woodpeckers good to have around?

Woodpeckers are beneficial for trees because they consume a lot of the most destructive wood pests, harmful insects, and hidden larvae that are mostly inaccessible to other birds. These insects represent the majority of their food. This way woodpeckers can act as a natural form of pest control for your property.