Careers at Beneficial Insectary
At Beneficial Insectary, we are proud to be a leader in the production and supply of high-quality beneficial insects and mites for biological pest control. Since 1986, our team has supported growers across North America with science-based, environmentally friendly pest management solutions.
If you’re passionate about agriculture, sustainability, and making a real impact, we invite you to explore career opportunities with us.
Why Work With Us
At Beneficial Insectary, we believe that our people are the foundation of our success. We foster a collaborative environment where innovation, integrity, and continuous improvement are encouraged. Whether you’re working in production, research, operations, or administration, you’ll be part of a team making a difference in agriculture and the environment every day.
What we stand for
Our Values
Customer Commitment
Our Customer Service and IPM teams are dedicated in their commitment to delivering customer satisfaction and product awareness with every encounter.
Teamwork
We work together, to exceed the needs of our customers and to help our Company flourish.
Passion for Innovation
Driven and devoted to innovating science-based least toxic product development.
Respect for People
We honor and value our people, inspire their growth and celebrate their success.
Quality
We mass-rear outstanding products, with unsurpassed customer service that, together as a company, deliver superior value to our customers.
Personal Accountability
We are personally accountable for following through on our commitments every single time.
Comprehensive Employee Benefits
We are proud to offer a robust benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and financial future. Full-time employees working 30 hours or more per week are eligible for benefits starting the first of the month following 30 days of employment. After 90 days, employees are also eligible to participate in our 401(k) retirement plan, which includes a company match of up to 4% with 100% vesting.
- Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage
- Life and Disability Insurance
- Mental Health & Employee Assistance Program
- 401(k) Retirement Plan with 4% Company Match and 100% Vesting
- Additional Wellness Resources
Open Positions
Description
POSITION SUMMARY
The Mite Production Technician supports the rearing, harvesting, quality control, and packaging of beneficial insects and mites used in biological pest control. This role is essential to maintaining high standards of organism health, environmental cleanliness, and production accuracy. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, comfortable working with live organisms, and committed to contributing to sustainable agriculture practices.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist in the propagation and rearing of beneficial insects and mites according to company protocols.
- Monitor insect life cycles, growth stages, and environmental conditions to ensure healthy production.
- Perform tasks such as feeding, harvesting, sorting, and transferring live insects with precision and care.
- Prepare, package, and label live insect shipments for customer delivery in accordance with quality and safety standards.
- Record production data accurately using established systems (Excel, databases, or other software), including batch numbers, quantities, and developmental observations.
- Conduct routine cleaning and sanitization of production areas, equipment, and workstations to prevent contamination.
- Follow biosecurity, safety, and hygiene protocols strictly, including proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Operate microscopes and stereoscopes to observe insect and mite development and quality.
- Communicate any anomalies in insect or mite behavior, health, or facility conditions to supervisors promptly.
- Support cross-functional tasks including inventory management, supply restocking, and minor facility maintenance.
- Participate in training and continuous improvement initiatives, including troubleshooting and process efficiency projects.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
- High school diploma or equivalent (biology, agriculture, or related coursework preferred).
- Experience in insect rearing, agriculture, animal care, or laboratory work preferred.
- Computer literacy and ability to accurately enter and maintain data in spreadsheets or databases.
- Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), or other laboratory/production standards preferred.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to work in a positive, team-oriented, and cross-functional environment.
- Strong observation, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities and maintain accuracy in repetitive tasks.
- Fine motor skills and ability to handle delicate tasks with precision.
- Close visual acuity for monitoring very small organisms under magnification.
- Comfort working with live insects and mites in a production/laboratory setting.
- Commitment to safety, biosecurity, and hygiene compliance.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Close visual acuity required for tasks involving insect and mite observation, equipment operation, and data entry.
- Manual dexterity for handling small and delicate insects and mites with care.
- Ability to work in controlled environments with variable temperatures and humidity.
- Ability to lift, push, or pull up to 30 pounds regularly.
- Frequent bending, reaching, repetitive hand movements.
- Extended periods of standing or sitting, including time operating a stereoscope and/or computer.
Description
Job Title: Janitor (Temp to Hire)
Location: Bella Vista
Anticipated Pay Range: $18.00-$20.00/hour depending on experience
Schedule: Monday through Friday, 6:00am to 2:45pm, may vary depending on business needs including overtime, weekends, and holidays.
Job Summary
The Janitor is responsible for maintaining a clean, safe, sanitary, and organized environment in all company-owned buildings. This role performs routine cleaning and upkeep tasks, including sweeping, mopping, dusting, surface sanitizing, and general maintenance of common areas, offices, and restrooms to ensure a professional and welcoming workplace. The Janitor also supports production, employee safety, and biosecurity efforts by maintaining housekeeping standards, identifying areas requiring additional cleaning or maintenance, and ensuring facilities remain clean, organized, and production ready.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
· Sweep, mop, and vacuum floors in offices, hallways, breakrooms, restrooms, and other common areas.
· Wipe down and disinfect surfaces, including desks, tables, counters, and door handles.
· Empty and clean trash and recycling bins; replace liners as needed.
· Clean and restock restrooms, including sinks, toilets, mirrors, and supplies.
· Maintain cleanliness in breakrooms, including wiping tables, counters, and appliances.
· Spot clean windows, glass doors, and interior glass partitions.
· Report any maintenance or repair needs to the supervisor promptly.
· Ensure cleaning supplies and equipment are stored properly and request replenishments as needed.
· Maintain appropriate janitorial supply levels and communicate inventory needs in a timely manner.
· Follow all safety guidelines, including proper use of chemicals and PPE.
· Safely operate cleaning equipment and demonstrate proper handling and storage of cleaning chemicals.
· Complete daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning schedules and sanitation assignments in a timely manner.
· Maintain warehouse and production areas free from dust and debris.
· Support production teams with sanitation needs.
· Assist with special cleaning projects as assigned.
Requirements
Physical Demands
· Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, and twist for extended periods.
· Frequently lift, carry, or move objects up to 25 pounds; occasionally up to 50 pounds with assistance.
· Regularly push/pull cleaning equipment such as vacuums, floor buffers, or carts.
· Work may involve exposure to cleaning chemicals, dust, and moderate noise levels.
Qualifications
· High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
· Previous janitorial or custodial experience preferred but not required.
· Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions.
· Knowledge of cleaning chemicals, proper storage, and safety protocols preferred.
· Ability to maintain high sanitation and housekeeping standards with strong attention to detail.
· Demonstrated ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and consistently complete assignments on schedule.
· Dependable, positive, proactive, and committed to open communication.
· Ability to identify areas requiring additional cleaning or maintenance and communicate concerns promptly.
Description
JOB TITLE: Production Technician - Insect Rearing (Temp to Hire)
Anticipated range: $18.00 - $20.00, depending on experience
Location: Bella Vista, Anderson, Caterpillar, Tanqueray
Schedule: TBD 6am – 2:45 pm
POSITION SUMMARY
The Production Technician - Insect Rearing supports the mass rearing of beneficial insects using established protocols and best practices. This role involves preparing diets and host material, maintaining insect colonies, monitoring life cycles, ensuring proper environmental conditions, and recording accurate production data. The technician works closely with the production team to ensure high-quality and consistent insect yields.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
. Prepare and maintain insect rearing environments, including temperature, humidity, and light controls.
· Handle and care for insect colonies through all life stages (egg, larva/nymph, pupa, adult).
· Prepare and distribute food sources or host plants/eggs to support insect development.
· Collect, separate, and transfer insects according to rearing schedules.
· Inspect colonies daily for health, growth, contamination, or abnormalities.
· Follow strict sanitation and biosecurity procedures to prevent cross-contamination.
· Accurately document production data, observations, and quality control checks.
· Assist with harvesting, packaging, and staging insects for distribution or further processing.
· Operate basic lab/production equipment and maintain cleanliness of workstations.
· Adhere to company safety guidelines and report any deviations or concerns to supervisors.
· Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
. High school diploma or equivalent (biology, agriculture, or related coursework preferred).
· Strong communication skills with the ability to work in a positive, team-oriented environment.
· Experience in insect rearing, agriculture, animal care, or laboratory work preferred.
· Ability to work with live insects and maintain attention to detail.
· Strong observation and problem-solving skills.
· Comfortable with repetitive tasks in a production/laboratory setting.
· Ability to follow written protocols and maintain accurate records.
· Forklift or equipment certification may be preferred depending on facility needs.
Requirements
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those encountered in a nursery-style production and insect-rearing environment.
- Work is primarily performed in indoor nursery and production areas, including climate-controlled rooms, rearing areas, and workstations used for feeding, harvesting, packaging, and quality control of beneficial insects (lacewings).
- Position requires frequent pushing, pulling, and maneuvering of tall rearing racks throughout the facility.
- Must be able to work directly with animal-based feed ingredients, including ground beef, egg yolk, and liver, as part of insect-rearing and feeding processes.
- Environmental conditions may include variable temperatures, humidity, plant material, organic substrates, insects, dust, and related odors.
- Work may occasionally be performed in an indoor warehouse, staging, or shipping/receiving environment.
Our Locations
We operate in the heart of California agriculture and are proud to serve growers across the U.S. from our headquarters in Redding, CA. Our proximity to farming communities and agricultural hubs keeps us closely connected to the growers we support.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested in joining our team? We invite you to explore our current job openings and apply directly through our official careers portal or reach out to us directly at careers@insectary.com with your resume and area of interest.