Nick Castro, a pest control professional with 20 years of experience based in California, recently encountered an extraordinary case that left a lasting impression on him. Nick runs a pest control company and was commissioned by a homeowner troubled by persistent damage to the exterior walls of their house.
The homeowner explained that woodpeckers had pecked countless holes into the walls over time. Even more troubling, the birds were secretly storing acorns inside these holes, causing ongoing distress for the residents. They sought Nick's expertise to resolve the issue.
Upon receiving the request, Nick arrived at the site at the scheduled time. He spent an hour chiseling into the wall, revealing a scene he would never forget. Behind the damaged wall was a massive woodpecker food storage.
As Nick continued to excavate, tens of thousands of acorns suddenly poured out like a tsunami, so many that the carpet beneath was nearly completely covered. Undeterred, Nick kept working, chiseling open the surrounding walls as well. Unsurprisingly, acorns continued to spill out relentlessly.
In total, Nick removed approximately 700 pounds (about 317 kilograms) of acorns, filling eight large garbage bags. He initially assumed the woodpeckers' acorn stash would only reach about one-quarter of the wall's height. To his surprise, the acorns had accumulated all the way up to the house's attic.
Finally, Nick repaired all the holes and replaced the damaged sections with new vinyl siding, hoping the woodpeckers would be discouraged from returning.
This remarkable case highlights the unexpected challenges that wildlife can pose to homeowners and the dedication of pest control experts like Nick Castro in protecting properties from unusual infestations.
