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Compare current Canadian prices on the OFF lineup and a gear-safe icaridin alternative:
DEET Percentage & Duration, Explained
The single most misunderstood thing about bug spray is what the DEET percentage actually controls. A higher percentage does not make the spray “stronger” or repel more mosquitoes at once — it makes protection last longer before you have to reapply. Here is the rough relationship most Health Canada and CDC references agree on:
- ~10% DEET — about 2 hours (short errands, a quick evening walk)
- ~15% DEET — about 3–4 hours (OFF FamilyCare · everyday backyard)
- ~25% DEET — about 5–6 hours (OFF Deep Woods · hiking, cottage, dusk)
- ~30% DEET — about 6–8 hours (Deep Woods Sportsmen · worst bush conditions)
Notice the diminishing returns: going from 25% to 30% buys you a couple extra hours, but jumping past 30% adds almost nothing — which is exactly why Health Canada caps consumer repellents at 30% DEET. If you see a US product advertising 40%, 50%, or nearly 100% DEET, that is a longevity spec for extreme expeditions, not a “better” spray, and it is not sold at that strength in Canada. For a full-yard mosquito plan that reduces how often you reapply anything, see our Ontario mosquito repellent guide for 2026.
The OFF Lineup Compared — Which One to Buy
OFF sells several formulas that look similar on the shelf but are aimed at different jobs. Here is the practical breakdown for Canadian buyers, with a live Amazon.ca price check on each:
| OFF product | DEET | Lasts | Best for | Price check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deep Woods | ≈ 25% | 5–6 hrs | Hiking, cottage, heavy dusk pressure | Check price → |
| Deep Woods Dry | ≈ 25% | 5–6 hrs | Same power, powder-dry non-greasy feel | Amazon.ca → |
| Deep Woods Sportsmen | ≈ 30% | up to 8 hrs | Backcountry, blackflies, worst conditions | Amazon.ca → |
| FamilyCare | ≈ 15% | 3–4 hrs | Everyday backyard, errands, lighter exposure | Amazon.ca → |
| FamilyCare Smooth & Dry | ≈ 15% | 3–4 hrs | Light everyday use · powder-dry finish | Amazon.ca → |
Rule of thumb: Deep Woods for the bush, FamilyCare for the backyard. Do not buy Sportsmen 30% for a suburban patio — you are paying for staying power you will not use, and DEET’s downsides (odour, greasy feel, plastic damage) scale up with concentration.
The honest shortcut
Most people only need two products: a can of OFF FamilyCare (15%) by the back door for quick trips, and a can of OFF Deep Woods (25%) in the hiking bag or cottage kit. That covers 95% of Canadian summer situations. Everything else on the shelf is a variation on those two.
OFF Deep Woods vs Picaridin & Other Repellents
DEET is not the only option, and for a lot of Canadians it is no longer the best everyday one. Here is how OFF Deep Woods stacks up against the alternatives you will see on the same shelf:
| Repellent | Active | Feel / odour | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| OFF Deep Woods | 25% DEET | Greasy, strong smell, harms plastics | Max staying power in the bush |
| Icaridin (picaridin) | 20% icaridin | Odourless, non-greasy, gear-safe | All-day everyday · kids 6 mo+ |
| Lemon eucalyptus (OLE) | 30% OLE | Herbal scent, plant-based | Shorter outings, plant-based preference |
| Professional barrier spray | Yard treatment | Nothing on your skin | Whole-yard, 21–30 days, ticks too |
The headline: at 20%, icaridin matches DEET for mosquito and tick protection without the grease, smell, or gear damage, and Health Canada prefers it for children. DEET still wins on raw longevity at 25–30%, which is why Deep Woods stays in the pack for serious backcountry days. If you are torn, our full picaridin vs DEET comparison for Canada walks through every trade-off.
Safe Use: Kids, Pets, and Your Gear
DEET is safe and effective when used as directed, but a few Canadian-specific rules matter:
- Infants under 6 months: no DEET at all. Use physical barriers — mosquito netting over the stroller or carrier.
- Children 6 months to 12 years: Health Canada limits DEET to a maximum of 10%, and prefers 20% icaridin (approved from 6 months). OFF Deep Woods at 25% is above the kids limit — do not use it on young children.
- Applying to kids: spray it on your own hands first, then wipe it onto exposed skin. Keep it off hands (they end up in mouths and eyes) and off cuts.
- Pets: DEET is toxic to dogs and cats. Never spray OFF on an animal, and let your own skin dry before petting. Use vet-approved products for pets.
- Gear: DEET dissolves plastics, some synthetics, watch crystals, sunglasses, and fishing line — spray away from equipment and let it dry before handling gear. (This is a big reason icaridin fans switch.)
- Face: never spray directly on the face — spray hands and wipe on, avoiding eyes and lips.
- End of day: wash treated skin with soap and water once you are indoors for the night.
None of those rules imply the chemistry itself is hazardous — the U.S. EPA classifies DEET as “not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity,” and Health Canada caps the concentration rather than banning the ingredient. If that is the part you came to check, is DEET safe? walks through what each agency actually concluded.
The Bottom Line for Canadian Buyers
If you want one can that does almost everything, buy OFF Deep Woods (25% DEET) for hikes and the cottage, and keep a cheaper OFF FamilyCare (15%) by the door for quick backyard trips. Reserve Sportsmen 30% for genuinely brutal blackfly country. For kids under 12, an all-day gear-safe option, or anyone who hates the DEET feel, a 20% icaridin spray is the smarter modern pick. And remember what no personal spray can do: keep your yard bite-free. That is what a professional barrier treatment is for — so the spray in your bag is for the trail, not your own patio.
