Compare current Canadian prices on the OFF lineup and a gear-friendly 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 on Amazon.ca → |
| 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-friendly | 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, re-applied on a schedule, ticks too |
The headline: at 20%, icaridin matches DEET for mosquito and tick protection without the grease, smell, or gear damage, and the Canadian Paediatric Society 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
Used as the label directs, DEET is effective, and 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%; the Canadian Paediatric Society prefers 20% icaridin (labelled for use 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.
Those rules are label directions, not a verdict on the ingredient itself — 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-friendly 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: treat your yard. That is what a professional barrier treatment is for — so the spray in your bag is for the trail, not your own patio.
Related Reading
- Picaridin vs DEET in Canada — Which Repellent Wins?
- The Ontario Mosquito Repellent Guide (2026)
- BuzzSkito Professional Mosquito Control Service
- Get a Free Yard Assessment
Frequently Asked Questions
Which OFF Deep Woods should I buy in Canada?+
For most Canadian adults, OFF Deep Woods (about 25% DEET, roughly $9–$14 for a 100–170g aerosol) is the right pick — it lasts about 5–6 hours and handles cottage country, hiking, and heavy dusk mosquito pressure. Pick OFF Deep Woods Dry if you dislike the greasy feel (same 25% DEET, powder-dry finish). Step up to OFF Deep Woods Sportsmen (around 30% DEET, Health Canada's maximum for consumer products) only for the worst blackfly and mosquito conditions in the bush. For everyday backyard, errands, and lighter exposure, OFF FamilyCare (about 15% DEET) is plenty and costs less. Do not buy a higher percentage than you need — above 30% adds no extra protection in Canada.
What DEET percentage is in OFF Deep Woods vs OFF FamilyCare?+
In Canada, OFF Deep Woods and Deep Woods Dry contain about 25% DEET, and OFF Deep Woods Sportsmen contains about 30% DEET (the legal maximum Health Canada allows in consumer repellents). OFF FamilyCare products are lower — typically around 15% DEET — because they are aimed at everyday, lower-exposure use. US versions of OFF Deep Woods sometimes go higher (25% is common there too, and specialty Sportsmen formulas reach far higher), but any product sold legally in Canada is capped at 30% DEET. Concentration controls how LONG the repellent lasts, not how strong the barrier is at any given moment.
How long does OFF Deep Woods last?+
Roughly 5–6 hours for the 25% DEET Deep Woods formula, and up to about 8 hours for the 30% Sportsmen version. Duration scales with DEET concentration: about 10% DEET protects for roughly 2 hours, 15% for 3–4 hours, 25% for 5–6 hours, and 30% for 6–8 hours. Sweat, swimming, rain, and rubbing against clothing all shorten real-world protection, so reapply per the label if you are out longer or getting wet. Going above 30% does not extend protection meaningfully, which is why Health Canada caps consumer products there.
Is OFF Deep Woods safe for kids?+
OFF Deep Woods (25% DEET) is stronger than Health Canada recommends for young children. Health Canada guidance: do NOT use any DEET on infants under 6 months; for ages 6 months to 2 years use a maximum of 10% DEET no more than once per day; for ages 2–12 use a maximum of 10% DEET up to three times per day; only ages 12 and up should use adult-strength products up to 30%. For children, the Canadian Paediatric Society prefers icaridin (picaridin) 20%, which is labelled for use from 6 months of age. So for kids, reach for a 20% icaridin spray or a low-percentage DEET product rather than Deep Woods. See our picaridin vs DEET guide for the full breakdown.
Can I use OFF bug spray on my dog or cat?+
No. DEET is toxic to dogs and especially cats — do not apply OFF Deep Woods, OFF FamilyCare, or any DEET product to pets. Signs of DEET poisoning in animals include drooling, vomiting, tremors, and disorientation. Use only veterinarian-approved repellents and flea/tick preventives formulated for the specific animal. If you have applied DEET to your own skin, let it dry and avoid letting pets lick the treated area. For the yard itself, a professional barrier treatment targets mosquitoes and ticks where they rest, so you rely far less on personal spray around animals.
Where can I buy OFF Deep Woods in Canada?+
OFF is one of the most widely stocked repellent brands in Canada. You will find Deep Woods and FamilyCare at Canadian Tire, Home Depot Canada, Walmart Canada, Shoppers Drug Mart, most grocery chains, and Amazon.ca. Costco Canada carries seasonal multipacks (often the best per-can price when in stock, April–July). Prices in 2026 typically run about $9–$14 for a single Deep Woods aerosol and $7–$11 for FamilyCare, with Costco 2- and 3-packs landing around $20–$28. Stock is deepest May through July and thins out by late August, so buy early in the season.
OFF Deep Woods vs picaridin — which is better?+
Both work well; the trade-offs differ. DEET (OFF Deep Woods, 25%) is the most-studied repellent, extremely effective, but it can feel greasy, has a strong odour, and can damage plastics, synthetic fabrics, and gear finishes. Picaridin (icaridin, 20%) matches DEET for mosquito and tick protection at that concentration, is odourless, non-greasy, and won't damage gear or plastics — and the Canadian Paediatric Society prefers it for children from 6 months. If you want maximum bush-grade staying power and do not mind the feel, Deep Woods wins on duration. If you want an all-day, comfortable, gear-friendly spray for the whole family, 20% icaridin is the better everyday pick. Our picaridin vs DEET guide compares them in depth.
