Marcus Chen
Areas of Expertise: Pest Identification | Integrated Pest Management
Find the Bug First
That has been my rule since 2015, and it is what led me to become a certified Integrated Pest Management specialist.
Most of my work involves identifying garden pests accurately and choosing the least disruptive way to manage them.
I teach pest control workshops, write for gardening publications, and help home gardeners identify what’s damaging their plants before choosing a treatment. Every article I share here follows that same approach.
How I Work
Most of my methods are simple. Hand-picking, insecticidal soap, and a few rows of dill and yarrow to bring in ladybugs handle most of what I see.
Over the years, I have dropped what did not hold up, like dish soap sprays and store-bought ladybugs.
Everything I share here has earned its place the same way, and that is the standard I hold every Marcus Chen article to.
Renting a home should feel safe and comfortable. However, many rental properties tend to hide health hazards that tenants never think about. You will only
Pests are more than a minor inconvenience. When left unmanaged, they can cause structural damage, contaminate food, spread disease, and create ongoing stress for property
It’s crucial for your long-term health to maintain your home or office clean and comfortable in a busy city. In situations where a lot of
Your Deck Plays a Bigger Role Than You Think When homeowners think about pest control, they usually picture indoor treatments or traps inside the house.
Pest Fixes: Natural DIY Solutions for Your Garden and Home and When to Inquiry Through MrRemodel.com
A thriving garden is a point of pride, but it can also be a beacon for pests. Natural, DIY solutions, like the companion planting principles
Houston runs on air conditioning 10 months a year, and that reality comes with a price. The average humidity here sits around 75%, and hurricane
Without these basics, a warm July evening in the Willamette Valley can quickly fall apart. You sit down with a cold drink at the patio
Tiny flying insects hovering around your kitchen sink or circling your houseplants can send anyone into a spiral of frustration. You’ve hit the classic gnat
Gnats have a sneaky way of making themselves at home, and once they’re in, they’re really hard to ignore. The frustrating part isn’t just seeing
One day, your home is fine, and the next, you’re swatting at a tiny swarm that seemed to appear out of nowhere. Frustrating doesn’t even
I have seen countless gardeners mistake harmless soil organisms for destructive pests. Tiny bugs moving across potting soil often cause uneasiness, leading many people to
Knowing your enemy is half the battle when it comes to pest control — and yes, that includes knowing what kind of enemy you’re dealing
