Whatever Happened To First Saturday Lime Insect Repellent After Shark Tank Season 11?

Nobody likes to battle with insects chewing up your garden or invading your home. There are plenty of bug-begone solutions on the market, but the big problem with mainstream insecticides is that they can be harmful to children, pets, and the environment. Even diatomaceous earth, a natural product made from tiny fossils, can cause respiratory issues, skin irritation, and eye irritation.  That's why sisters Jessica Jacobs, Jana McDaniel, and her husband Zac McDaniel invented First Saturday Lime, a non-caustic lime and limestone formula that eliminates pests without causing harm to people, pets, livestock, or the planet. The name "First Saturday Lime" refers to the product's once-per-month application routine, and the company even posts reminders online to encourage customers to re-apply regularly. Simply sprinkle it around the border of your home, the chicken coop, or directly on top of garden plants to keep pests and odors at bay.

The product is so innovative and effective that Jessica, Jana, and Zac brought First Saturday Lime to season 11 of "Shark Tank," seeking investors to help them spread the word and increase production. While the sharks loved the eco-friendly way to banish unwanted bugs, gaining their support wasn't exactly a walk in the park. Here's what happened on the show, how it affected the company, and the surprise episode ending that shocked everyone on set. 

At the start of the "Shark Tank" episode, the founders of First Saturday Lime asked for $100,000 in exchange for 10% equity. The team went on to explain their active ingredient, citric acid, which repels and kills insects, fights odors, and works as an antimicrobial agent. While it is very effective, the product is also very safe. While the sharks loved the product safety and profit margins, they were worried about the still-pending patent, the company's lack of clear branding, and the high cost of shipping. 

Robert Herjavec and Mark Cuban were quickly out. Kevin O'Leary claimed he was out, too, due to the confusing brand image. "You've got to explain why a frog and a Saturday and a lime have anything to do with each other," he said. Lori Greiner agreed that they needed to rebrand, but she was willing to strike a deal: $100,000 in exchange for 33.3% of the company. After further negotiations, guest shark Daniel Lubetzky joined in with Lori, but the two sharks wouldn't budge on their 33.3% stake. First Saturday Lime bargained 25%, still well over their initial 10% asking, but Lori and Daniel shook their heads at each other. It was all or nothing. Suddenly, Kevin jumped up, scalping the deal from the other two sharks. With that, the company walked out with their initial offer and the support of Mr. Wonderful himself.

After the episode, the company stayed in touch with Kevin O'Leary. "We are so grateful Mr. Wonderful saw our potential and gave us a deal," the company wrote on Instagram. "We are hoping with his lead we will be a solution for people searching for a healthy alternative to pesticide." However, for unknown reasons, the investment deal between Kevin and First Saturday Lime never actually closed.

In regards to the shark's comments about branding and image issues, First Saturday Lime stuck to their guns despite advice that they needed to change to something more relevant. According to their website, a small frog kept visiting the team in their warehouse years ago as they were brainstorming the special lime formula. They decided to nickname the frog Ricardo after their late father Richard, whose favorite animal was a frog. Ricardo reportedly stayed in the warehouse until First Saturday Lime officially launched. The sentimental story makes sense as to why First Saturday Lime wouldn't want to rebrand its image, and the company still found good success in the years following its "Shark Tank" debut.

Yes, First Saturday Lime is still alive and thriving! "It's been three years since First Saturday aired on "Shark Tank!" Thank you to our followers that have been here from the beginning," they wrote on Instagram in April 2023. The investment deal with Kevin O'Leary never actually closed, so they didn't receive any of the funding they had bargained for on the show. However, First Saturday Lime still benefitted from what's known as the "Shark Tank effect." Airing the episode allowed them to spread their name and innovative product to viewers, retailers, and media outlets. 

Today, First Saturday Lime's insect repellent is available for purchase through their website and on Amazon. In addition to online vendors, you may also see First Saturday Lime at retailers like Home Depot, Walmart, and independent garden supply stores! The company hasn't expanded its line of products much beyond the original formula besides an insect repellent spray and mosquito bracelets. However, that plan seems to be working out quite well for them. As of January 2023, the company pulls in about $800,000 in annual revenue.

While they still share photos, stories, and monthly reminders on their social media pages, First Saturday Lime has kept relatively quiet about any future plans for the company. The all-natural product is one of the best ways to keep bugs out of your garden, but based on recent posts, the company has focused more on its product's benefits for pets and livestock. 

For example, they recommend spreading First Saturday Lime once a month in chicken coops to reduce moisture, fight odors, and protect fowl from ants, ticks, lice, and mites. Even though chickens peck at the ground all day long, ingesting trace amounts of the lime won't harm them! If anything, commenters suggest it's just another good source of calcium. You can also sprinkle First Saturday Lime in birdbaths, ponds, or water sources for livestock to reduce algae and bacteria. Even if you don't have a farm in your backyard, the company suggests using their lime product to reduce odor in litterboxes or soak up pet urine in the backyard. What ingenious natural product will the company think up next? Only "lime" will tell.