OFF! bug spray is for hunters, anglers, campers and hikers who want personal insect protection, while Backyard products cover outdoor spaces. Deep Woods gives you aerosol and dry-spray options, with up to eight hours of mosquito protection from the standard aerosol compared below.
OFF! is SC Johnson’s insect-repellent brand. It draws on the company’s insect-science expertise. The brand has more than 65 years of experience in personal repellents.
Deep Woods for the outing
Choose your personal spray around protection time, feel and clothing compatibility. The standard Deep Woods aerosol targets ticks as well as mosquitoes, black flies, sand flies, chiggers and gnats. Deep Woods Dry goes on dry, without an oily or greasy feel. For someone who dislikes greasy spray, that finish is a reason to choose it.
OFF! offers both DEET and picaridin formulas. Deep Woods MAX contains 20% picaridin and advertises up to ten hours of mosquito and tick protection. Clean Feel offers a non-sticky, fragrance-free alternative, with 20% picaridin and up to eight hours of mosquito protection in its aerosol formula.
Most OFF! products are sold without an expiration date. Storage still deserves attention: keep the standard Deep Woods aerosol in a cool, dry place away from heat, sparks and open flame; its warning identifies temperatures above 120°F as a bursting risk.
Match the spray to your clothing
Clothing compatibility comes ahead of spray feel. The standard Deep Woods aerosol permits use on cotton, wool and nylon, but its directions prohibit application on or near spandex, several other synthetics, plastics, leather and painted or varnished surfaces. Keep that spray away from stretchy clothing and exposed gear.
Deep Woods MAX is described as compatible with activewear, plastics, painted surfaces, fishing lines and equipment. That’s a practical reason to choose it around fishing gear.
For the standard aerosol, use just enough to cover exposed skin or clothing. Hold the container six to eight inches away and spray with a slow sweeping motion. For ticks and chiggers, its clothing directions specify cuffs, socks and other openings in outer clothing.
Backyard protection around your sitting area
Backyard products address the outdoor space where you settle in. OFF! Area Repellent is intended for spraying around outdoor chairs or beach towels and advertises up to six hours of mosquito repellency. OFF! Outdoor Fogger is positioned for campsites, patios, picnics and backyards, with up to six hours against flies, mosquitoes and non-biting gnats.
Product specifications
| Product | Formula, finish or protection |
|---|---|
| OFF! Deep Woods V Aerosol | Standard aerosol; up to eight hours of mosquito protection; also targets ticks |
| OFF! Deep Woods VIII Dry Aerosol | Goes on dry, without an oily or greasy feel |
| OFF! Deep Woods MAX Aerosol | 20% picaridin; up to ten hours of mosquito and tick protection |
| OFF! Area Repellent | 8.5-ounce size; up to six hours of mosquito repellency |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Deep Woods OFF! contain DEET?
It depends on which formula you choose. Deep Woods MAX is DEET-free and contains 20% picaridin. If you want to know how much DEET another formula contains, check the active-ingredient percentage on that container’s label.
Does Deep Woods OFF! repel ticks?
Yes. The regular Deep Woods aerosol repels ticks, and its clothing directions specify spraying cuffs, socks and other openings in outer clothing for ticks and chiggers. Check your fabric before spraying: that formula’s directions prohibit application on or near spandex.
How long does Deep Woods OFF! last?
Deep Woods protection time depends on the formula: the regular aerosol and towelettes advertise up to eight hours of mosquito protection, while MAX advertises up to ten hours against mosquitoes and ticks. Follow your container’s application directions rather than treating that protection time as a schedule for spraying again.
Does Deep Woods OFF! expire?
Most OFF! products don’t have an expiration date, so a missing date isn’t unusual. Keep your repellent in a cool, dry place away from heat or flame, and follow the storage limits printed on your container.
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