Question
I have recently noticed some areas of my wood siding that has quarter or bigger size chips taken out of it. I was thinking it was some sort of insect but upon closer inspection I noticed that the holes did not go all the way through. They were grouped in a couple of places about 3 or 4 chips apiece. My wife then noticed a wood pecker in the act. I suspect the original holes were made sometime in the summer and it is October now. We live in Northeast Massachusetts. I am wondering if this is a trait of the wood pecker that I should be worried about, ie is he looking for insects and do I have a bug problem.

Thanks

Matt in Massachusetts

Answer
The woodpecker is not looking for food when pecking the siding of houses but looking for a place to nest. When you hear the woodpecker on the house scare it away and soon it will grow tired of the disturbance and find a new quieter place to nest. This nesting usually happens in the spring so pay attention then.