It’s not every day that a routine pest control call turns into a discovery that leaves even a seasoned professional speechless. But for Nick Castro, who has spent over 20 years running Nick’s Extreme Pest Control in California, this was no ordinary day. What started as a simple call about damage caused by a persistent woodpecker turned into a spectacle he’s unlikely to forget.
A Routine Job Turns Extraordinary
Castro had been called to a home plagued by holes in its siding, courtesy of a diligent woodpecker. Known for their habit of pecking away at wood to store food, the bird had been diligently hiding its treasure—mostly acorns—inside the walls of the house. The homeowner suspected something unusual was happening, as the acorns were mysteriously disappearing deeper into the structure.
Armed with his tools and experience, Castro cut into one of the walls, expecting to find a modest stash of acorns. Instead, he was met with an unbelievable cascade of nuts.
A Flood of Acorns
At first, a steady stream of acorns trickled out of the opening. But as Castro continued to widen the hole, the stream turned into a deluge. “They just kept coming and coming, nonstop,” Castro explained. What the homeowner initially thought was a small cache turned out to be 700 pounds of acorns, filling eight large trash bags.
The woodpecker, clearly dedicated to its craft, had filled the walls up to the attic with its bounty. Even after opening additional sections of the house, Castro found no shortage of the bird’s stash. “It was nuts,” he quipped, marveling at the sheer volume.
Handling the Situation Humanely
One of the standout aspects of this story is Castro’s commitment to handling animals humanely. As part of Nick’s Extreme Pest Control’s policy, no animals are ever euthanized. In this case, the solution was simple: patch up the holes and let the bird relocate its operations. The homeowner planned to install vinyl siding to deter future woodpecking adventures, ensuring the bird’s hard work wouldn’t go to waste in inaccessible wall cavities.
The Woodpecker’s Tireless Efforts
While the spectacle of 700 pounds of acorns spilling out of a wall is undeniably amusing, it also speaks to the determination of the woodpecker. The bird had spent an incredible amount of time gathering and storing its food, only for it to end up in the hollow spaces of the house. By sealing the holes, Castro and the homeowner ensured the bird could focus its efforts on a more suitable storage spot.
A Story to Remember
In his decades-long career, Castro has seen plenty of unusual cases, but this one will undoubtedly go down as one of the most memorable. “I never saw anything like that before,” he said. It’s a reminder that even in the routine, there’s room for the unexpected—and sometimes, a story worth telling.
Have you ever had a surprising encounter with wildlife or nature? Share your experiences in the comments below! Let’s swap stories about the moments that left us in awe of the natural world.
