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Chris Parker

Founder, Parker Eco Pest Control

Chris Parker is the Founder of Parker Eco Pest Control, a sustainable pest control service in Seattle, Washington. With over eight years of experience, Chris both owns and operates his business, and specializes in Integrated Pest Management. He doesn’t use any chemicals for pest removal. He offers removal services for ants, rodents, fleas, spiders, wasps, and more.

Education

  • University of Washington, BA, Economics

Certifications & Organizations

  • Washington State Department of Agriculture, Pest Control Applicator License
  • Washington State Department of Agriculture, Pest Control Operator License
  • Also licensed as a Pest Control Applicator and Operator in the State of Oregon and the State of Utah

Favorite Piece of Advice

Spiders are very beneficial! They control the insect population in your home. Sometimes the best treatment for pests is no treatment at all.

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Forum Comments (4)

My room is infested with carpet beetles. What do I do?
Beetles usually hitch a ride into your house on an item made of natural material that had larvae on it. Carefully go through all wool, silk, jute, fur, etc. to see if you can find the source. Vacuum thoroughly, dry clean rugs, wash garments, or freeze items that can’t be washed. Physical cleaning can be cheap and effective if you stay on top of it. You can also sprinkle diatomaceous earth around your home as a chemical-free way of killing the insects. If that doesn’t work, call an exterminator to apply a pesticide for a “crack and crevice” treatment inside your home.
How do I safely get rid of a wasp nest outside my house?
It would be helpful to identify the type of hornet/wasp to better understand if they even need to be removed. Having pollinators in your yard can be a good thing! If you’re set on removing the nest, I’d recommend waiting until evening when they’re less active. Wear a few layers of clothing and an apiary hat to protect yourself. It sounds like this is NOT a cavity nest, meaning it’s not inside of a wall/soil and you can see all sides of the nest. That will make this an easier job. Purchase an aerosol can with a good spray distance – I would recommend EcoVia Wasp Spray since it’s FIFRA exempt. Purchasing a pole attachment like a Gotcha Sprayer would provide even longer reach if you’re concerned about getting too close. Spray the nest from far away and give it ten minutes or so to take effect. Repeat the application as needed until you stop seeing activity. Bag the nest and throw it in the trash.
Help! What's the best way to get rid of ants?
Ants follow waterlines very consistently. So, we'll often see ants in kitchens and bathrooms and they’re not always coming in through the windows—if there’s a water line running through a crawl space they can come in that way, too. We also see ants on the weather wall of the house, which is typically the southern wall. Physically excluding ants is nearly impossible. They’re just so small that caulking your windows or blocking your crawlspace just isn’t going to work most of the time. I’d recommend traditional bait traps. You just have to be really persistent. Good luck!
How do I get rid of fleas for good?
I highly recommend taking your pet to the vet if you suspect fleas in the home. That's always the first step. The next step is to wash all of the pet's bedding and make sure you're using high heat for at least an hour on a dry cycle to get rid of any eggs or larva that might still be in there. Vacuum your home frequently, as well.

Co-authored Articles (69)

How to Trap Wasps: Easy DIY Tips for Indoors & Outdoors

Everything you need to make your own wasp traps When wasps make a nest too close to home, they can pose a danger to people and household pets. While you can purchase wasp traps, they’re often sticky and difficult to se...

How to Diagnose Animal Holes in Your Yard

An extensive guide to solving the question: Which animal made this hole? Having trouble with mysterious burrows in your garden? Burrowing animals can be bothersome when they get busy digging, but finding the culprit is t...

How to

Humanely Kill a Rodent

A rodent infestation at home can be an inconvenience at best and a health hazard at worst. Killing a rodent can never be entirely humane, but you can take steps to cause as little suffering as possible. There are pertine...

How to

Get Rid of Skunks

If you or your pet has ever been sprayed by a skunk, you’re probably not eager to repeat the process anytime soon. Getting rid of a skunk that has settled into your property can be done with a few prevention and repell...

How to Keep Spiders Away While You’re Sleeping

Plus, what to do when you see a spider in or around your bedIf you’re trying to keep creepy crawlies out of your bed at night, we’ve got good news for you—spiders want nothing to do with you at night either! People...

14 Fast & Easy Ways to Get Rid of Fleas in Your Home

Pest control experts share how to eliminate fleas in a flashFleas are some of the smallest pests, but they’re a huge nuisance once they get into your home. These tiny creatures are experts at hiding on your pets, in yo...

How to

Get Rid of Booklice

The small bugs that are often found in stored books are tiny insects called booklice. These creatures are drawn to areas with high humidity and moisture, and love feeding on mold. Despite the name, booklice aren't only f...

How to

Get Rid of Moths

Moths are a common household problem in both pantries, where they feast on grains and cereals, and closets, where they're attracted to wool, silk, and other fabric. Getting rid of moths for good requires a two-pronged ap...

How to

Get Rid of Ground Digger Wasps (Cicada Killers) from Your Lawn

This article provides instructions on how to eradicate the ground-digger wasp (also known as the cicada-killer), should you have nest infestations on your lawn or property.

How to Make Homemade Lemon Flea Spray

Lemon is a great way to repel and kill fleas if you have trouble with them in your home. Many natural flea sprays contain a citrus extract called D-limonene, which repels and kills these biting bugs. Making your own home...

How to

Eliminate a Flea Infestation in Your Home

A comprehensive guide to getting rid of fleas If your pet is scratching excessively, losing patches of hair or developing scabs and hot spots, then your pet could have a significant problem with fleas. And if fleas are...

Effective Ways to Kill & Repel No-See-Ums In Your House & Yard

Learn what these pests are attracted to & how to treat bites “No-see-um” is a common nickname for ceratopogonidae, a family of biting flies responsible for producing painful, itchy, and irritating bites. These blood-...

How to Get Rid of Flea Eggs & Eliminate a Flea Infestation

The best way to get rid of fleas on your pets and in your homeIf you start seeing fleas in your home or your cat or dog, you likely have an infestation. Flea eggs are tiny, about , and are very difficult to find, but wit...

Do You Have Animals in Your Walls? Dealing with Animals in Your Walls or Attic

If random noises are keeping you up at night or holes in your drywall have you worried, you may have a pest living in your walls. Identifying which creature you’re dealing with will save your pest control expert a lot ...

How to

Kill Fleas With Dawn Dishsoap

Fleas are pests that can multiply quickly if they're not treated properly. However, since the price tag for store-bought flea treatments is a bit high, you can use Dawn dish soap to get rid of them. The best way to do th...

8 Ways to Naturally Kill Fleas in Carpets

Natural and chemical treatments to kill pesky fleasIf you’ve seen a couple of fleas crawling around your carpet, don’t panic—there are plenty of remedies that’ll get rid of them in the blink of an eye. In this ar...

How to Safely Get Mice & Rats Off of Glue Traps

Learn how to dispose of a mouse in a sticky trap Sticky traps, or glue traps, are an inhumane way to catch mice, rats, and other rodents. If you find a live mouse stuck in a sticky trap, it’s best to remove it as soon ...

How to Get Rid of Dead Animal Smell: Quick & Effective Steps

Locate & remove a dead mouse, rat, or other animal from your houseIf you smell a pungent, rotting smell in your home, it may be due to a dead animal that somehow made its way into your house. But how do you remove the un...

How to Eliminate Carpet Beetles: Natural & Chemical Options

Plus, how to prevent a future infestation in your homeCarpet beetles are persistent pests that can eat away at your carpets, clothing, and other fabrics. While getting rid of carpet beetles can be a challenge, it’s def...

How to

Get Rid of Wasps with Vinegar

A beautiful summer day in the backyard can take a terrifying turn when a wasp starts buzzing around your ice cold lemonade. Thankfully, you can get rid of wasps using vinegar instead of resorting to harsh pesticides. We�...
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