Team Too Puts its Actions Ahead of Words to ‘Go Green’

Team Too downsized its fleet from Chevrolet S-10 and heavy duty models to new fuel-efficient Chevrolet Colorados. Team Too’s newest termite truck, which is based on a ½-ton Chevy express cutaway van with a KUV. This truck was special ordered with the Chevy 5.7 liter engine with active fuel management. Each truck that previously had a gasoline-powered sprayer was replaced with a no-emissions, no-noise, electric-powered sprayer.

CORONA, Calif. — Team Too Termite & Pest Control, Corona, Calif., announced today that its inter-office initiative to promote conservation and awareness towards environmental concerns is nearing completion.

To achieve a “green” standard for Team Too Termite & Pest Control, William and Bryan Houtchens launched a planning and strategy meeting in February 2007. The concept was simple: As part of an industry that can impact the environment daily, Team Too Termite & Pest Control’s objectives were to reduce environmental impact for the benefit of all employees, customers and future generations.

Vehicle switch. The changes immediately implemented by Team Too Termite & Pest Control after the February meeting was to develop a comprehensive vehicle program that involved changing the complete fleet of service vehicles from older Chevrolet S-10 and heavy duty models to new fuel-efficient Chevrolet Colorados.

New service equipment. The service equipment on each truck was also replaced; each truck that previously had a gasoline-powered sprayer was replaced with a no-emissions, no-noise, electric-powered sprayer. The battery on the car provides the power without having to run while the sprayer is operating; in turn the equipment runs silent and produces no emissions. The batteries are charged, while the technicians report to each appointment. The overall change in the service vehicles alone from gasoline- powered equipment and fuel-guzzling trucks greatly reduces the footprint on the environment.

Fuel-savings measures. In addition to the change in vehicle type and equipment, Team Too worked with a GM-authorized, engine-tuning and development company to create an implementation of a 65 MPH “governor” and electronic fuel control that does not allow for “hard starts” or the quick acceleration from dead stops which creates a substantial use of gasoline. The electronic timing changes and speed governing have increased the fuel mileage on each vehicle by 15 percent or 2.25 miles per gallon.

Corporate call center changes. At the corporate call center and operation management offices, the directive given was to reduce power consumption, water usage, and use of paper whenever possible. “Electric, water, and our living environment are all resources we must protect. Our changes are minor in comparison to the impact on our resources, but hopefully by showing that we can make these changes other companies and industries can follow suit,” said William Houtchens, president and CEO of Team Too Termite & Pest Control.

Bryan Houtchens, vice president and COO added, “It is our responsibility to act now to change what we can for our families and those that we work with and for. Our customers demand the best, we feel that by making substantial changes to how we impact our environment, while also improving service are the standards we must meet.”