First Saturday Lime: How To Use This Insect Repellant And Deodorizer Around The Farm And Garden

First Saturday Lime is an eco friendly insect repellent, neutralizer, and deodorizer. But it is also so much more.

This all natural, organic, and safe to handle lime is unlike other types of lime sold in stores.

With their patent-pending process, First Saturday Lime created a highly concentrated, highly effective product that can do so much more than barn lime.

First Saturday Lime is a staple at Heritage Acres, and this one product replaces several other products we used to use.

Rather listen than read?

Listen to the Backyard Bounty Podcast interview with Jessica, co-owner of First Saturday Lime.

First Saturday Lime on Shark Tank

You may have learned about First Saturday Lime after they appeared on Shark Tank.

Did First Saturday Lime get a deal on Shark Tank? If you didn’t see the episode, you can catch the negotiation in the video below.

What Is First Saturday Lime?

First Saturday Lime is a proprietary, patent pending formula made from calcium hydroxide.

Calcium hydroxide is hydrated lime, which is dangerous and can cause severe skin burns. But First Saturday Lime is different.

First Saturday Lime maintains the powerful qualities of calcium hydroxide (hydrated lime), but it is insoluble and is as safe to handle as regular quarry lime (or barn lime). 

This means First Saturday Lime is super strong and won’t harm people and animals. It is a safe and healthy alternative to other dangerous forms of lime.

First Saturday Lime is precipitated calcium carbonate, primarily made of calcium carbonate. First Saturday Lime is not chalk, as chalk can be a variety of materials or sources and/or particle sizes. Per the packaging, the active ingredient is Citric Acid (0.1%), and the inert ingredient is Calcite (99.9%). It is free of any toxic chemicals.

Additionally, First Saturday Lime remains effective even if it gets wet. Because it is insoluble, it is effective once again after it dries out. 

Cons

How is First Saturday Lime different than other kinds of lime?

Hydrated Lime

Hydrated lime is calcium hydroxide, which is the kind of lime that reacts with water. If you touch hydrated lime, it will react with the moisture in your skin and can cause serious skin burns.

Hydrated lime is known by many names including caustic lime, builders’ lime, slack lime, cal, and pickling lime.

Typically, hydrated lime is used for making mortar and concrete, and usually isn’t used in the home or farm setting.

The only home application for hydrated lime is as a soil amendment to raise the soil pH, a process called “sweetening” the soil. In most cases, garden lime is generally recommended for this.

Barn Lime

Barn lime goes by many names. You may see it sold as quarry lime, ag lime, dairy lime or garden lime. Regardless of the name, these are all calcium carbonate, or ground limestone.

Unlike hydrated lime, barn lime is safer and won’t cause skin burns.

Barn lime is often sold as a deodorizer and moisture control for horse stalls or as a garden soil amendment.

While barn lime is safe and organic, it contains many impurities which weaken its pest controlling ability when compared to First Saturday Lime.

How is First Saturday Lime different than Hydrated and Barn lime?

First Saturday Lime is different. They took hydrated lime and, with a patent pending process, made it insoluble, which means it does not react with moisture. The end result is a strong insect repellant and bacteria control, that is safe enough for humans and animals to touch.

“So First Saturday Lime, we took hydrated lime. We made it insoluble so it doesn’t have that reaction with moisture. So it’s just as strong as hydrated lime in repelling insects and controlling bacteria. It’s going to be just as safe as barn lime and the fact that most can touch it, kids can play with it, it’s completely safe.”

– Jessica on the Backyard Bounty Podcast

How is First Saturday Lime different than Sweet PDZ or Diatomaceous Earth?

Sweet PDZ

Sweet PDZ is not lime, but rather a naturally occurring mineral from volcanic activity called clinoptilolite (also called zeolite). These minerals have the ability to adsorb and trap gasses like ammonia.

While Sweet PDZ is an effective for moisture and odor control, it does not have the many other uses that First Saturday Lime does.

Diatomaceous Earth (DE)

First Saturday Limes insect repelling abilities are often compared to diatomaceous earth.

Diatomaceous Earth (or DE) is the fossilized remains of tiny, aquatic organisms called diatoms. These remains are made of silica.

Diatomaceous earth kills insects by cutting into their skin (which is called the cuticle) and absorbing the oils and fats, drying out the insects.

While diatomaceous earth is an organic and effective pest control, the silica can be harmful to delicate lung tissue and an eye irritant.

Diatomaceous earth is also limited to a single use- insect control- while First Saturday Lime has many uses.

How does First Saturday Lime work?

There is no one simple answer on how First Saturday Lime works, because it has so many different uses.

First Saturday Lime can be used for pest control and repellant, algae in the water, odor and moisture control, mosquito larvae control, and more.

So the way that it works to repel insects is completely different than how it controls algae in the water.

Pest Control

First Saturday Lime can be used on any insects with an exoskeleton, including:

• Ants
• Fleas
• Ticks
• Mites
• Lice
• Aphids
• Beetles
• Spiders
• Cockroaches
• and snails & slugs, too

It works by drying out insects, eggs, and larvae. It also creates an inhospitable place for insects to live, so they avoid the area.

First Saturday Lime can be used to not only prevent insects, but to treat current infestations as well.

To protect your garden from crawling insects, pour a two-inch wide barrier around the garden perimeter.

For insects on the plant (like aphids), apply First Saturday Lime directly to the plant, avoiding the flowers. Wait a day or two, then wash the powder off the plants and water the plant well.

Algae

First Saturday Lime prevents and eliminates green algae in two different ways.

First, it regulates and neutralizes the waters pH which reduces the algae’s ability to grow.

Also, the act of sprinkling the product over the water forces the algae diatoms to settle at the bottom, where they cannot receive adequate oxygen or sunlight to grow.

To apply, simply sprinkle a 1/8″ layer of First Saturday Lime to the surface of the water.

First Saturday Lime is safe for pond plants and fish when used as directed.

Odor and Moisture Control

First Saturday Lime is amazing at odor and moisture control. It dries out odor causing bacteria and moisture, which eliminates smells.

Mosquito Control

If you struggle with mosquitoes in your bird bath or other standing water, First Saturday Lime can help! It eliminates the algae that mosquito larvae need to eat in order to grow. First Saturday Lime also changes the pH of the water, which makes the water unattractive for female mosquitoes to lay their eggs.

First Saturday Lime Uses around Heritage Acres

Duck Pen

It was because of the ducks that I discovered First Saturday Lime.

For several years, we had 6 ducks and the smell was overwhelming. In fact it was so bad that I was concerned about the neighbors complaining.

I tired adding pea gravel to their pen. I tried Sweet PDZ. Nothing worked.

I had reached a level of desperation and thought I was going to have to get rid of them, when I stumbled on First Saturday Lime.

I was so incredibly blown away by the product. Within hours of applying First Saturday Lime around the duck pen, the smell that had been plaguing our suburban farm for months disappeared.

DISAPPEARED!

I subscribed to the monthly plan after that. And the more I used it, the more uses I found for it. I have now been a First Saturday Lime subscriber for about two years.

Chicken Coop

We use First Saturday Lime extensively in the chicken coop, including the nest boxes, dust bath, under roosts, in the water, and as a white wash.

Every time the nest boxes are cleaned, a layer of First Saturday Lime is sprinkled in the bottom of the box before fresh straw is added. Once a month, I also sprinkle a little on top of the straw. This keeps feather lice and mites away.

I also regularly add First Saturday Lime to the chickens dust bath. Adding it to the dust bath ensures that the First Saturday Lime can get in the chickens feathers, preventing feather lice and mites.

Our chicken water never has algae thanks to chicken nipples and First Saturday Lime. Every time we clean and fill watering buckets, and dash of First Saturday Lime is added. Not only does it keep the water clean, but it also adds another source of calcium for my laying hens.

The area under the roosts is the dirtiest part of the coop. I haven’t switched to the deep litter method yet, so I have to clean the coop regularly. Every time I clean, I add a layer of First Saturday Lime under the roosts. This helps prevent any ammonia buildup or harmful bacteria.

I also like to whitewash the inside of my chicken coop and nest boxes with First Saturday Lime. Not only does it have a cute vintage look, it also keeps Northern Fowl Mites away. The mites can live in the cracks and crevices of the coop, and they whitewash seals those areas.

To whitewash your coop, mix 8 cups of First Saturday Lime and 2 cups salt in 1 gallon of water. Mix well, and paint on the whitewash mix. Allow the first layer to dry completely and apply a second layer.

I will also mix a cup of First Saturday Lime to the chickens feed, which serves as an additional calcium supplement for the laying hens.

Honey Bees

While we do not have a significant Small Hive Beetle problem where we are, they are an occasional pest, as are ants. Since using First Saturday Lime around the hives, we have had fewer problems with both pests.

Small Hive Beetles lay their eggs inside of the beehive. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on pollen, honey and bee brood. After 7-10 days, the larvae crawl out of the hive to pupate in the ground under the hive, in the top 4″ of soil.

Studies have found that soil moisture significantly affects the larvae survival rate. In one study, 3000 Small Hive Beetles were observed to find which soil conditions they pupated best in. Researchers found that no larvae survived in the dry soil, with larvae dying between 9-28 days.

If you live in an area that does not have naturally dry soil, First Saturday Lime can be sprinkled around and under colonies. As First Saturday Lime combines with the soil, it not only dries it out, but it also aerates the soil. This will, in turn, dry out any Small Hive Beetle Larvae.

After rain, First Saturday Lime will soak into the soil. Once it dries out, it remains active. It is best to reapply a layer of First Saturday Lime after rains or at least once a month to ensure the best Small Hive Beetle and ant prevention.

Cats

We keep our cats in a “kitty coop” at night. This is basically a spare chicken coop and attached run that they sleep in.

Unfortunately we have a major coyote and owl problem here and it’s not safe to let them roam at night. So while they have free range during the day, this keep them protected at night.

Because they are confined to this area, and we have a male cat who likes to mark his territory, things can get a little smelly. And while they have a litter box, they will sometimes do their business in the dirt instead.

At least once a month, I add a generous layer of First Saturday Lime in their pen and little box. This has really helped the urine smell that can accumulate in the dirt.

First Saturday Lime can also be used to neutralize urine if cats pee in the garden or in a potted plant.

In the garden

In order to protect my garden from crawling insects, I pour a two-inch barrier around the garden perimeter.

If there are bugs on the plant itself (like the squash beetle or aphid), then I apply First Saturday Lime directly to the plant.

When applying to the plant, I make sure to avoid the flowers so that bees and butterflies are not harmed.

After a day or two, I wash off the First Saturday Lime and water the plant well. Since First Saturday Lime is a desiccant, it needs to be washed off so it doesn’t dry out the plant.

On The Lawn

When your pup pees on the lawn, the high nitrogen can cause yellow patches in the grass.

Watering in First Saturday Lime right after can help reduce yellow spots in the lawn.

Algae in Bird Baths, Ponds, Stock Tanks & Water Troughs

First Saturday Lime does an amazing job at controlling and eliminating algae in ponds, stock tanks, and water troughs.

I have a stock tank turned patio pond with a few plants and goldfish. During the winter I keep a small heater in the pond, and it has been overrun with green algae.

Not only was the water green, but there were clumps of algae growing on the plants and floating on the surface.

No matter how many water changes, I couldn’t control the algae. Most of the chemical options are hazardous to fish or plants.

Admittedly, I forgot about First Saturday Lime for algae control. I spent months scrubbing the pond and doing weekly water changes in the cold.

When I was working on this post was when I remembered that First Saturday Lime has algae control listed right on the package

After sprinkling a healthy layer across the surface, the First Saturday Lime turned the water white and cloudy.

The next day, I could actually see the fish for the first time in months.

It’s now been several months and there has been no need to add any more First Saturday Lime.

The water is still clear.

All of the fish and all of the plants are still alive.

And there is still no green algae growing in the pond.

In the home

I have used First Saturday Lime on my indoor plants after a fungus gnat outbreak.

I brought home a new plant, and after the first watering, I learned the hard way that it had fungus gnats.

I have had this happen in the past ( I guess I didn’t learn my lesson), and the ultimate solution is beneficial nematodes.

While waiting for the nematodes to arrive, I sprinkled First Saturday Lime on the top of all of my house plants to reduce the spread of gnats.

Once the nematodes arrived, I took what plants I could outside and shook them off. Whatever remaining product was just watered in.

First Saturday Lime Review

We have used First Saturday Lime extensively around our yard and farm for about 2 years now. It is used in all of our bird pens, our patio pond (with fish), in the cat litter box, and in the garden.

I love that First Saturday Lime has so many practical uses, and this one product solves so many different problems.

Plus, it’s safe to use around the animals, even the cats (cats tend to be very sensitive to products).

In the past, we had to buy one product for pond algae, another for odor control, something else to whitewash coops, a different one for insects and pests, etc.. That can really add up in cost, and to be honest, some of the things we bought (like the fish safe pond algae chemical) never really worked.

Unlike a number of other products, First Saturday Lime can get wet and it is still effective once it dries out.

We use First Saturday Lime has so often that we subscribe to the monthly 20 pound bag, and often use it all before the next one arrives. I think First Saturday Lime is worth every penny. It is very affordable and a little goes a long way.

It is hard to find a product with so many uses. From controlling odors to providing a calcium boost for the chickens, preventing pond algae to reducing small hive beetles in the bee yard, this product really does it all.

Another thing I really like about it is that First Saturday Lime is a small, family-owned, American business. I try to support small businesses whenever I can.

I feel like there is a lot of misinformation that exists around First Saturday Lime. But I can tell you first hand, after 2 years of use, that IT WORKS.

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FAQ

Sources

Bunch, T. R.; Bond, C.; Buhl, K.; Stone, D. 2013. Diatomaceous Earth General Fact Sheet; National Pesticide Information Center, Oregon State University Extension Services. http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/degen.html.