Painting poles with creosote or other type paints do not deter woodpeckers as they use their bills as a chisel and it does not get in their mouths. As woodpeckers must have a starting point, a small hole or crack, fill up all holes or cracks in the pole with a non-toxic putty. This paste to contain an offensive taste repellant. Also as the holes and cracks are used by various insects, an insecticide is added. This paste is weatherproof and long lasting, forms a thin hard crust on the outside and remains pliable underneath. Paste Black dye/0.15 lb. Flake naphthalene/1.75 lb. Anthraquinone/50 g. Caulking compound/1 gal.