Hang feeders at least five feet above the ground. For ground-feeding birds, Arrange fencing in two or three concentric circles about two feet apart to disrupt a cat's ability to leap at feeders or to spring on birds. Harass offending cats. They will depart when the time is right whether your feeders are up or not. Woodpeckers are only doing what comes naturally to them - drilling into wood in search of food.
Woodpeckers also use wood and sometimes metal parts of houses as drumming sites.
This drumming noise is a territorial announcement, and a method for attracting a mate. Drumming happens most regularly in the spring. There are several things you can try. 1.Place some sheet metal or heavy aluminum foil over the area the bird is using. Hang some aluminum pie plates around the affected area.