It's woodpecker season, they've attacked our house in the past but we've found some great solutions from Bird Barrier, a company in California that makes safe, non-toxic deterrents.  The spray works great on house siding, smells like grape juice but keeps them away, we also installed "daddi long legs" on our chimney covers - no more hammering!  See http://tinyurl.com/yebe44j

They've got all sorts of bird products, not just for woodpeckers, but the woodpecker stuff is great and really affordable, and doesn't hurt the birds.