Can anyone keep these mantids alive? - Ask Extension
Hello! Our Christmas tree has sprouted a slew of praying mantis babies! I’m afraid they will die here. Are there places that would take them? So far...
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Can anyone keep these mantids alive? #923452
Asked January 08, 2026, 10:36 PM EST
Hello! Our Christmas tree has sprouted a slew of praying mantis babies! I’m afraid they will die here. Are there places that would take them? So far I have 18 little containers with one in each along with a couple flightless fruit flies.
Shiawassee CountyMichigan
Expert Response
Since the mantis egg case has hatched, the only way to keep them alive would be in a terrarium and feeding them food items such as crickets or lady beetles along with a sugar/water solution in a shallow dish.
I'm not aware of any places that collect and read mantids locally. Perhaps an area school or preschool would be interested in them as part of a science lesson?