A picture would help, jan. But what you are describing sounds rather like the 'work' of one of the sapsuckers, a type of woodpecker. (I'll attach a picture to typical sapsucker damage for comparison.) They peck holes into the cambium layer of trees, and leave...so that sap can collect in the holes. Later, they return to partake in the sap AND in the insects that might be attracted to the sap. Pretty smart little things.

The insects that would be attracted to the sap wouldn't ordinarily be the kind that damage the trees. And though the damage might be alarming in appearance, there is little a person can do to prevent it. If you and your neighbors are both having quite a bit of damage, you might have some nesting sapsuckers nearby. You could wrap your tree in burpap or mesh to deter the pretty little birds.

In all but extreme cases, trees and survive just fine with some sapsucker damage. It's when they begin girdling branches and the entire trunk that you should begin to worry.

Here is a link that might be useful:

I have an old American Holly that was almost completely girdled by sapsuckers. I was desperate to save it so I wrapped aluminum foil around the trunk. I did seem to deter them and now the tree is recovering nicely.