Breeding or raising preying mantis

[sharlaxle]

Ok so due to the lack of anything besides crickets up here I am thinking about trying to raise some mantis for a different type of feeder. So how hard are they to raise?
For those of you who have had them what do you suggest?
Thanks all
Sharl

 

[coldbloodedAL]

Four words.... PITA! Unless you are interested in them as more than feeders, its not really worth it.. They take almost as much if not more time to tend to than my chams, just to get them to snack size.
For baby chams they are a good snack though as they are nearly ready as soon as they exit the ooth.
I will say that I have fun raising them, theyre by far one of the coolest insects out there!

 

[SarahcoadunatioZac]

Get ones you can release into your yard. (Make sure they are releasable, most aren't.)

This way, you can hatch an ootheca, feed off all the babies you don't want or release them. Raise 50ish or so to a good size then keep afew for breeding.

They will eat tons of crickets, but by reducing the size your raising itll be easier. I've also had a buddy of mine who raised Mantids for his Bearded Dragon, he would sell 75% of the hatch to gardeners as non-toxic pesticide.