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.
I used to think bugs in my garden were just part of the deal, until I saw a whole tomato gutted from the inside. That
Spiders weaving webs in your corners? While most are harmless helpers keeping other pests at bay, finding eight-legged visitors in your living space isn’t exactly
I used to think yellowing leaves just meant not enough water. But when spots started showing up or the whole plant seemed off. Plant disease
You’ve spotted unwelcome guests scurrying across your kitchen floor, and suddenly you’re wading through the overwhelming world of pest control options. Before you pick up
Tiny brown household bugs near your bed are easy to mistake for bed bugs, but most of the time that’s not what you’re looking at.
Those cheerful red-and-black visitors fluttering through your garden aren’t just adorable, they’re incredibly helpful for keeping your plants healthy. Ladybugs are nature’s tiny guardians, feasting
I’ve watched those tiny gnats circling my favorite pothos one too many times, and I finally cracked the code on banishing them for good. These
Not every bug you find in your bed is a bed bug. Carpet beetles, spider beetles, booklice, and even some tiny cockroach nymphs all carry
I’ve watched whiteflies turn my thriving tomato plants into wilting shadows of themselves, and I know how defeating that feels. These tiny white insects multiply
I’ll never forget the first time I spotted squash bugs destroying my zucchini plants. These little pests are incredibly stubborn, feeding on squash, pumpkins, and
Ever noticed your plants looking a bit under the weather, with leaves curling up or feeling oddly sticky? You might have aphids throwing a party
Bugs in the soil are a normal part of gardening, indoors and out, since healthy soil naturally holds small life and most of it isn’t
