Make An Integer Null

I have an update function that updates an sql server db table through a dataset. One of the fields in the table is an integer and accepts null values. So when I am populating the update function I need a way to enter a null in when the function wants an integer.

I tried to do it this way but _intDLocation = "" throws an exception

Dim _dLocation As String = udDefaultLocationTextEdit.Text
    Dim _intDLocation As Integer
    If _dLocation <> "" Then
        _intDLocation = Integer.Parse(udDefaultLocationTextEdit.Text)
    Else
        'NEED HELP HERE
        _intDLocation = ""
    End If