The area under the curve will equal zero if the lower and upper limits of integration are equal.
$$ \int\limits_{-2}^{-2} x^2   dx=0 $$
Since the graph of \(x^2\) is always positive, taking any other values for the upper limit of integration would result in a nonzero value for the definite integral.
$$ \int\limits_{-2}^k x^2   dx=0 $$
$$ \frac{1}{3}x^3 \Big|_{-2}^k=0 $$
$$ = \frac{1}{3}k^3 - \frac{1}{3}(-2)^3 = 0 $$
$$ k^3 = -8 $$
$$ k = \boxed{-2} $$