Woodpeckers seek out the insects in the decaying material and, since woodpeckers are cavity nesters, they will use the holes in trees to raise their brood. As long as dead or dying trees do not pose a hazard, you may want to leave them in your yard for the birds to use. Leave a snag in your yard and you may find the characteristic rectangular holes left by this uncommon bird digging for ants. Suet attracts a variety of birds. Suet feeders are available at most stores that sell birdseed.
Some feeders look like wire cages, which hold the pre-formed suet cakes.
Drill 1-inch holes, alternating, on opposite sides along the length. Put an eye screw in one end, fill the holes with suet, and hang it outside. The following recipe for homemade suet has proved successful in the Midwest for attracting woodpeckers and other birds, such as tufted titmouse, nuthatch, and chickadee. Children enjoy mixing up a batch of this concoction. If you have a problem with woodpeckers drilling holes in your home, there are measures you can take to reduce the problem.