Birds? Pecking holes in roof?

[IC2]

Only a suspicion at this point. A few days ago I got up on our 5ers roof to wash the winter's crud off. I found about a dozen holes through the EPDM and a couple, one pretty big, actually through the way too thin plywood underlayment. My first suspicion was that branches had blown down on it from a nearby tree but no physical evidence. All have been patched with my current best helpers, Eternabond with the edges further sealed with Dicor, I also added an attic vent**, enlarging and using the largest hole to allow better air circulation and dry out whatever water may have gotten in - no sign of water damage inside the 5er though.

My next suspicion is pointing to birds. There is a bird feeder about 25 feet from where the RV is parked. We have at least 4 different kinds of woodpeckers including the very large pileated that grab a sunflower seed, fly off to crack it elsewhere.

Anyone ever had that situation with birds?

**This one:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074JFP3PP...roduct_details

[Argosy]

Originally Posted by IC2

no sign of water damage inside the 5er though.

Any signs of insects or insect damage? Woodpeckers are generally after food when they start making holes.

[tiffy2000]

I had a woodpecker drill right through my good fascia board on my house, I patched the holes with bondo and hung up strips of aluminum foil and no more woodpecker!

[jrollf]

There are species of wood pecker that, during mating season, will peck on something that makes a loud noise (such as fascia board) to attract a mate.

Lived in Oregon a long time ago, had one that at the same time every year would cause damage to the house...

[mr. ed]

I think you’re correct about the probability of birds. I could clearly hear their activity on my roofs at times. Besides the sound of feet, I would detect pecking sounds. However, I never noticed any deep holes in the roofer membrane. I’m also not aware what type birds were involved. Maybe there’s something in the chemical composition of the membrane that attracts them?

Another occasional annoyance was animals (squirells, etc) scurrying across the roof, but they didn’t cause any damage, as far as i could see.

[IC2]

Speaking of fascia, the next door neighbors had a woodpecker pound a hole in their porch trims a few years back. The 'cure' wasn't pleasant for that little downy



Bugs on the 5ers roof - nope. Of course with the sheer numbers of chipmunks - yes, but the damage is too small. Those little beasts have only dug burrows under my driveway, causing potholes when the asphalt crumbled, now patched

[twogypsies]

We once had a Cardinal pecking at the mirrors on the motorhome. We put a black bag over them. It then went to one particular window.... had to tape a black bag over it. Waited a week and removed the bags and no more Cardinal.

As to doing it on a dirty roof? They can't see their reflection so either it was caused by something else or it was a dumb bird!

https://dengarden.com/misc/Why-is-ro...king-my-window

[IC2]

Originally Posted by twogypsies

We once had a Cardinal pecking at the mirrors on the motorhome. We put a black bag over them. It then went to one particular window.... had to tape a black bag over it. Waited a week and removed the bags and no more Cardinal.

As to doing it on a dirty roof? They can't see their reflection so either it was caused by something else or it was a dumb bird!

https://dengarden.com/misc/Why-is-ro...king-my-window

Downy woodpeckers are about as dumb as the come. I had to put orchard netting on one window after picking up several of their lifeless bodies - and never another species



Also, they may be cracking sunflower seeds on the roof which really isn't that dirty, just a winters worth of crud via dust in snow plus oak pollen from our small stand of 100+ foot trees

[Gary RVRoamer]

Birds peck to get food, and they only peck down into some non-food surface to get bugs for lunch. Doesn't seem likely they are eating EPDM rubber, but I guess it cannot be ruled out. Birds will, for example, peck at a competitor encroaching on their food supply or mating, e.g. birds attacking a shiny surface reflection of themselves. But is the roof that shiny? Maybe if water puddles on it...

[charliez]

Have you moved the bird feeder yet?

[IC2]

Originally Posted by charliez

Have you moved the bird feeder yet?

Oh yes - gone yesterday