Termite Treatment for Craftsman Bungalows — Preserving Historic Wood Detail

Craftsman bungalows typically feature exposed rafter tails at the eaves, wide overhanging fascia, decorative porch columns and beams, window surrounds, and interior built-in cabinetry. All of this exposed wood is potential termite habitat — and at 80–100+ years of age, it has had many opportunities to be infested.

The exposed rafter tails and fascia of a Craftsman bungalow are among the highest-risk termite locations in Southern California. Sheltered under the eaves but exposed to coastal air and warmth, this wood is ideal drywood habitat and typically shows the first signs of infestation.

Interior built-ins (bookcases, cabinets, window seats) are an under-inspected termite location in Craftsman homes. These features often use original-growth redwood and fir that's dense and old — but they can harbor hidden drywood colonies that go unnoticed for years.

For Craftsman homeowners who want to preserve original wood detail, orange oil spot treatment is a less invasive alternative to fumigation for localized infestations — treating specific galleries through small injection holes that can be filled and painted. For widespread infestation, fumigation provides complete clearance without damaging the wood itself.