Crawlspace odors are usually caused by a leaky sewer pipe, damp fiberglass insulation, dead animals, mold, cardboard and debris, to name a few possibilities. Lime powder, found at home stores, garden centers and some pet stores, can be used to absorb strong odors that might be coming from a crawlspace.
Using Lime in Your Crawl Space Compromises Your Home's Air Quality. If lime dust can cause burns and tissue damage on contact, imagine what happens if it's inhaled! Inhalation of calcium hydroxide can cause burns in the throat and esophagus, swelling and irritated tissue, and difficulty breathing.
PREVENTION: COATING WALL CAVITIES WITH LIME PRIME: Coating the Wall Cavities with Lime Prime can seal in any mold stains that are there and help prevent any more from returning. Its fast and easy to spray on after the sheathing and roof go up, before anything else is in the building.
Lime (calcium oxide) is a white solid with strongly basic properties. Lime reacts readily with water to produce slaked lime, which is the chemical compound calcium hydroxide. A considerable amount of heat energy is released during this reaction.
Wet soil treated with lime or quicklime, is a very effective method for drying. The lime reacts with moisture in the soil to generate heat, drive off water vapor, and bind some of the water in the chemical reaction.
LIME IS THE ANSWER! of either quicklime or hydrated lime, dries up wet soil quickly, so that it can be compacted readily, forming a working table that will resist further wetting as well--you can get back to work!
Always check the weather forecast before planning your lawn care projects. If heavy rain is on the way, delay applying lime or fertilizer until after the showers are over. In fact, wait for your property to drain thoroughly. Never add lime and fertilizer to soggy soil, and certainly not if the lawn has puddles.
Limes are not safe for canine consumption. All parts of these green sour citrus fruits are toxic to dogs and can cause lime poisoning. The high amounts of citric acid and the essential oils in limes can irritate your dog's digestive system.
You can also apply lime in early spring. Don't apply lime when your lawn is frost-covered or wilted. And always water the lawn after applying the lime to wash the lime off the grass blades and allow it to make contact with the soil.
White vinegar containing 5% acidity will also work just fine. If you don't already have some at home, white vinegar can be inexpensively purchased at most grocery stores. Vinegar can be used to kill mold on both nonporous surfaces and porous surfaces.
Use undiluted white vinegar on hard surfaces in kitchens and baths. A bleach solution also works to kill mold. Mix one cup of bleach in a gallon of water, apply to the surface and don't rinse.
Vinegar is natural and safe mild acid that can kill 82% of mold species. Plus it doesn't give off dangerous fumes like bleach. If you want to use vinegar to prevent mold growth on surfaces, spray vinegar on the surface and leave it. Repeat every few days to keep the surface mold-free.
At the Fifth Annual Virginia Sustainable Agriculture conference, several noted producers and writers told how hydrated lime applied to the foliage of vegetable crops repelled a wide variety of insects including aphids, flea beetles, Colorado potato beetles, squash bugs and cucumber beetles.
While oranges, grapefruit, lemons, and limes are loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants, citrus contains a mosquito-repelling compound called nootkatone that can be used in multiple ways to ward off biting insects.
While fans are a helpful tool in reducing moisture if your crawl space is already wet, sandbags are a great way to assist with waterproofing your home. Keeping sandbags in your crawl space close to your draining system is a preventative measure that will absorb any moisture that may come.
As we've already discussed, there's been no evidence to support claims that lime is a natural snake repellent; the same is true for sulfur. What started this idea is the fact that snakes do not like strong smells.
Many homeowners have issues with rodents and snakes. Some believe that the strong smell of lime will keep away these pests. Unfortunately, there has been no evidence that lime on a lawn can stop snakes and rodents from making their home in your garden.
If you need more than 50 lbs to fully treat the soil, then apply the lime in two applications. First in early spring, then the next fall or winter. Check your lawn's soil pH every 1-2 years. Repeat lime treatment as needed (only when the pH is dropping.)
What's the best time to apply lime? Fall and spring are generally the best times to lime lawns. Fall has an added advantage, as rain, snow and cycles of freezing and thawing help lime break down and begin to work.
When to Add Lime to a Lawn. Lime can take several months after application to break down and change your soil pH. A good time to test your lawn's pH and adjust it (if needed) is when your soil begins to warm in the spring. Lime can also be applied in the fall.
Over-liming will cause the ground to become too alkaline and plants may begin to yellow as they can no longer absorb the nutrients they need. The current pH level and soil type will also determine how much lime to add to soil.
How long will it take for lime to react with the soil and how long will it last? Lime will react completely with the soil in two to three years after it has been applied; although, benefits from lime may occur within the first few months after application.