Praying Mantis Egg - Carolina

To unpack your mantis egg:

The container it is in is the one that will be used for hatching.  Simply take off the cover and carefully take the egg out which is attached to a stick.  Remove the packing and small piece of paper towel and place egg back in cup suspended in upright position.

 For hatching: 
Take the lid off and lightly mist every other day to keep the egg environment moist but not wet. Keep in comfortable temperature (70's) and not in direct sunlight.

Average Hatch time is 6 to 8 weeks and hatch time starts approximately when you receive your order.
Please allow 8 weeks to surpass before requesting replacements. If they do not hatch after 8 weeks we will work with you to make it right.

 WHEN YOUR EGG HATCHES

If you are letting them go in your garden:
You can choose to let them go immediately OR to let them sit in their hatching container for a day or two, not opening the lid.
Once you open the lid, you cannot get them back in (you can mist the habitat through the lid). 
Leaving them in their container will allow the strong ones to get stronger while fighting/eating their siblings - this helps them prepare for bugs in the wild.
PLEASE NOTE: Keep an eye on them if you choose to keep them in their container for a bit, if they are left too long, you may only have a few left.

 As long as it is past all frost outside, then you can release them probably in area where you see lots of tiny bugs as they will want to eat soon.  Just set the container down on the side taking the lid off and watch them go.

 If you plan on raising some, they will need to be divided out individually into their own small habitat (small is important while they are small so the nymph can easily find its food)

 You will need Melanogaster Fruit Flies for food.  

 Once your mantis is set up in its container:

 Spray the mantis environment once a day to ensure his/her environment is moist/ humid.

• Feed every other day. Do not overload on food.  About 4 to 5 flies.
• Make sure you do not feed your mantis if you see signs that it is getting ready to molt or has already started.
• Do not move its habitat around or shake while your mantis is molting.

Mantis Care Instructions    -----    How can I tell if my Mantis is about to molt?

 It is relatively easy to tell when your mantis is just about to molt/shed. 

 First, you will notice how your mantis will not pay attention to its food.  It will ignore the moving prey and stay on top of the cage or on a large high branch upside down.  Or if you try to hand feed your mantis, it may try to bat the prey away.

 Second, you will notice how your mantis will stay in the same place on a high branch upside down or on the cage roof.

 Normally, you will see your mantis moving around.

Third, your mantis will begin to lose its coloration and turn pale.  This is the old skin underneath loosing up so your mantis will shake and quiver to break the old skin to push through allowing it to be free with a new skin.