Praying Mantid 2 Egg Cases 100 to 400 Babies

Editorial Review
These ferocious looking creatures eat a wide variety of insects: beetles, caterpillars, grubs, aphids, grass-hoppers, almost anything that moves. But they are so much fun that many people buy them for pets. And since they don't fly, they stay right in the area where they are released. Like ladybugs, preying mantids are completely harmless to people, pets, and the environment.RELEASE: Put the egg case in a bush, hedge, limb, or anything more than two feet above the ground. The egg case may be inserted in the fork of a branch or hung with a piece of string or needle and thread run through the outside of the case. Hanging will help keep birds and rodents from eating the eggs in the case. If ants are in the area oiling the string will help keep them away.LIFE CYCLE: Praying Mantids hatch out of their egg case along the seam that looks like louvered windows with some mud packed on top. They hatch in the Spring when the weather warms, the warmer the temperature, the sooner they hatch. Unlike most insects the Mantids do not hatch as larvae, they emerge as miniature adults, about half an inch long. They will grow through the Spring and Summer until they reach a length of 5 to 6 inches, shedding their skins several times.While most insects are constantly searching for food, Mantids are content to stay in one area and wait for their food to walk by and then grab it with their strong forelegs. This is why they are good to use early in the season, before there are pest problems, and use other insects after pests arrive.
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Customer Reviews

Buy from a local nursery

2008-05-17
I just found out today that my local nursery carries mantid eggs. I am going to turn to local for my second attempt for mantids. This way I know the seller will be invested in providing me a known good product.

Instead of an empty sack.

I regret my Hirt's purchase....threw my money away on thin air and disappointment.

Not worth the money

2008-05-16
I purchased these for my kids and for my garden. The first egg "sack" hatched after about 3 weeks. That was really cool and the kids were very excited. Sadly they wouldn't eat anything we put in with them and most died. We had the tiny flies and I bought special water packets for bugs. We released some of them and I hope they are still alive. I am still waiting for the second set to hatch. We have a mantis box in the window so it will get a lot of warmth.

I wrote Hirts and they never wrote back. I asked them how long I should wait. I will not contact them as this is the second time I have had to contact them about their product and I have not received good service.

purchased two orders praying manyis

2008-05-08
I purchased two units neither unit manifested it self into praying mantis for my granddaughters. have previously purchased the butter fly science project and they all hatched wonderfully.

i would not recommend this product

Did Not Hatch

2008-05-05
The instructions that came with these said it would take a couple weeks for them to hatch. I have had them now for 4 weeks and they still have not hatched. I called customer service today and the person cut me off and was rude and said I had to wait 6-10 weeks for them to hatch. She also added that they need to get used to the warmth of my area. I live in Texas..........it's warm here. Such a shame because I ordered live lady bugs and they were wonderful.

Tiny tyranids!

2008-05-03
These little guys remind me of the tyranidsGames Workshop Tyranid Battleforce Box Set race in warhammer 40,000 so I purchased them to kill off the other insect armys living around my house such as ants, gnats and spiders!

After receiving my two mantid egg cases from hirt's, I took some safety pins and gently stuck them through the outer case then tied a string to the safety pin and hung them outside my window. A few hours later the little guys hatch out of the first egg case and float down to the ground.

They all ran off, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed they come back to feast on some ant heads.

**EDIT**

Its been a few weeks and the second egg case has now hatched... Its pretty kewl watching hundreds of little mantids run around in search of tasty ant heads. I really think the 1 star reviewers are either not patient enough and should give the eggs more time to hatch, or maybe its the indoor enviornment - turn off the air conditioner or buy a heat lamp.

fast shipping

2008-06-18
I recievd my mandid egg sacks fast and packed well...I put them outside on trees, and they both have dissappeared...Ihope nothing ate them, I don't see any praying mantids yet...hope to though.

fun and beneficial

2008-06-13
This is a great purchase. Our family enjoys watching the mantis egg cases hatch, and they are so beneficial for the garden. A true wonder of nature to see all those little praying mantis all over the tree like tiny staples.

praying mantids

2008-06-09
I ordered these egg cases to put a little security surveillance on a weeping cherry tree that was almost destroyed by Japanese beetles last year. I went on a trip for 2 weeks, and when I got back I had tiny little praying mantids all over the tree. Can't wait to see what happens when those beetles show up this year!

excellent product

2008-05-28
The egg cases arrived in good condition and I have found many baby praying mantids in my yard!

Mantid babies

2008-05-22
Wonderful product, saw the babies hatch out, and the kids have had a blast watching. Thanks! A++