About Us

    DMV Beneficials is a beneficial insect and biocontrol collective that aims to facilitate access to evidence based, effective pest management tools and practices for houseplant growers and home garden enthusiasts. Founded in Washington DC in 2020, the organization trains and organizes local chapters in cities around the country, ensuring that no matter where you live, you can access trained pest management consultants and a financially accessible way to get the beneficial insects that you need.

    Accurate pest ID is key to an effective treatment plan, and the collective is experienced and thorough in identifying the insects on your plants. However, equally as important, is a familiarity with beneficial insects and their use and application specifically to the houseplant environment. DMV Beneficials has extensive experience in pest management specific to your houseplants and gardens. Not only have we personally developed effective treatment plans for a variety of houseplant pests, we also provide free consultations to growers to share targeted advice on pest/mite/insect ID, predator selection and sustainable pest management. We look forward to supporting the plant community on their beneficial insect journey, and are always happy to help!

    Please note – DMV Beneficials is not affiliated with any suppliers of beneficial insects and this information is not sponsored in any way. Our pest management recommendations are based solely on the collective’s education and experience and our goal is to share what works!

    Our Operation

    In addition to the pest management consultations, DMV Beneficials Chapters organize group orders in cities around the country to provide access to houseplant appropriate sized amounts of beneficial insects and to keep shipping costs feasible for group members. (Overnight shipping direct from the suppliers cost at minimum 45-50$ whereas ordering through the group, you’ll pay more like 10-15$ for the shipping cost). DMV Beneficials relies on a collective, all volunteer distribution network to ensure that once the bugs get to your respective city, you can pick them up at a location convenient to you! 

    It should be stressed though that DMV Beneficials is not a supplier of beneficial insects (you are not ordering the bugs FROM us), but we facilitate a group ordering process.

    DMV Beneficials Board

    Meet the amazing people responsible for making sure DMV Beneficials runs as smoothly as possible.

    jamietwitter
    Jamie Stanton
    Board Member
    Jamie has been living in DC since 2017, where she works as an editorial researcher for National Geographic and grows way too many Alocasia. She received her MA from Middlebury Institute of International Studies, and prior to her arrival in NW DC, she worked as a disarmament researcher at the UN in Geneva. She also serves on the board of ECOPA, an organization that works with rural communities in El Salvador supporting sustainable agricultural initiatives. She oversees program design and implementation and is specifically interested in measuring and evaluating the impact of sustainable agriculture on community health. She prefers to be outside -rock climbing, wandering off trail, and exploring abandoned spaces- there is nothing she loves better than falling asleep in the pine forests.
    tessa.simonds
    Tessa Simonds
    Board Member
    Tessa is a veteran digital organizer and consultant based in Washington, D.C. She has worked in politics for more than fifteen years in a variety of roles. Most days, Tessa can usually be found caring for her houseplants, listening to music, or talking to her best friend, Candace.
    Amelia Thompson
    Amelia McCall
    Board Member
    By day, Amelia is a speech-language pathologist working with Deaf/hard-of-hearing elementary, middle school, and high school students on their language and literacy development using American Sign Language (ASL). A Texas native, Amelia moved to D.C. in 2017 but did not venture into the world of houseplants until the pandemic began. Outside of work, Amelia enjoys cuddling with her cats, spending time with her husband, working in the yard, and watching musicals.