I wish to get some praying mantis to help my garden but also to experience their birth and growth, Is it worth it to purchase like a mantis pagoda for them to hatch in? I have been told that if you put the egg sack outside the rain etc can ruin it....
450215
I placed ours in a clear plastic container with holes and left it outside in the shade until they hatched. We then enjoyed playing with them for a bit before putting them to work in our garden.
1405795
If you have a small tank or a bowl, I would suggest Marbled Crayfish. You can find them on ebay for under 10 dollars. They are fun to watch. Do give them places to hide (sea-shells, etc.) They are lots of fun to watch grow. No special equip. Needed.
1411296
I don't have my bat house hung yet, so don't have a clue. Am waiting for my son to have a rest from farming to nail it up for me. It won't be as close as I'd like it, but have been told that the bats fly far enough to eat bugs that it won't matter. I hope that is right!!
1332179
I am a bit of a Newbie too. I will ask my friend who has been helping me and answer again if he says different. I am not familiar with a hatch pad but there is not much room between the screen and the egg turner. You can remove the turner and just turn by hand to make more room. Also I don't know if the hatch pad is porous or if it would block or interfere with the humidity from below. None of my chicks got caught in the screen. A few got stuck on their backs in the egg turners. My biggest concern is that the heater coil on the lid can create a nasty burn. My friend burned his hand on it. Not much feathers on the little chicks just hatched and all wet! It never turned out to be a problem tho.
32031
Nematodes should be applied in late June at the latest to be effective from what I've read. So, if you've done that fertilizing now would be fine since their life cycle is a month or so. Right now I believe that the eggs they have laid will wait for the temperature to get warm enough to hatch but I don't know that man made fertilizers will not kill the eggs. Here is a link that may be helpful: http://www.gardeninsects.com/beneficialNematodes.asp
1332181
I am a bit of a Newbie too. I will ask my friend who has been helping me and answer again if he says different. I am not familiar with a hatch pad but there is not much room between the screen and the egg turner. You can remove the turner and just turn by hand to make more room. Also I don't know if the hatch pad is porous or if it would block or interfere with the humidity from below. None of my chicks got caught in the screen. A few got stuck on their backs in the egg turners. My biggest concern is that the heater coil on the lid can create a nasty burn. My friend burned his hand on it. Not much feathers on the little chicks just hatched and all wet! It never turned out to be a problem tho. I am a bit of a Newbie too. I will ask my friend who has been helping me and answer again if he says different. I am not familiar with a hatch pad but there is not much room between the screen and the egg turner. You can remove the turner and just turn by hand to make more room. Also I don't know if the hatch pad is porous or if it would block or interfere with the humidity from below. None of my chicks got caught in the screen. A few got stuck on their backs in the egg turners. My biggest concern is that the heater coil on the lid can create a nasty burn. My friend burned his hand on it.... » Read More I am a bit of a Newbie too. I will ask my friend who has been helping me and answer again if he says different. I am not familiar with a hatch pad but there is not much room between the screen and the egg turner. You can remove the turner and just turn by hand to make more room. Also I don't know if the hatch pad is porous or if it would block or interfere with the humidity from below. None of my chicks got caught in the screen. A few got stuck on their backs in the egg turners. My biggest concern is that the heater coil on the lid can create a nasty burn. My friend burned his hand on it. Not much feathers on the little chicks just hatched and all wet! It never turned out to be a problem tho. « Show Less
1481974
I did't hang them anywhere, I followed the instructions only, and put both egg cases into the 'habitat' sack. I placed them on a sunny window sill and let nature take its course. About the time I began worrying nothing was happening, I found oodles of baby mantis' staring back at me through their 'window'. GOOD LUCK
1677013
I have raised praying mantises before and they might not be able to escape, but I think the fruit flies might. It would be a close call on both of them. The screen is very small, but so are they. I used a piece of very small mesh material to and doubled it over on the top of he jug I had them in. Maybe you could put something like that on top until they grow just a little.
48980
I have 2 closed terrariums made with this assortment of live moss. It hasn't happened to me. Must have been shipped with dormant larvae that hatched. The bugs shouldn't hurt anything, I don't think.
327935
I never had a problem with gnats before purchasing this soil. When I opened the bag, I thought gnats might fly out based on what other people had to say about it, but nothing of the sort happened. It wasn't until I used it and watered it that gnats started hatching from eggs contained in the soil. So be prepared for this.
1766955
Yes! There is a dish on the bottom for that, and i would look up how to hatch both types of eggs, im pretty sure they need different humidity and tempatures, so more then likely no. I would read A LOT on what the eggs will need and the hatchlings as well before starting anything, eggs are pretty complicated, and it can be heart breaking when they dont hatch.
1954432
Hi Susanne, Birder for over 50 years. I bought two of these houses for my wrens and chickadees hoping they would nest. The Wrens checked them out seems they do like them. I purposely kind of hid the house so they be protected and not seen by predators. Well to get to your question have not had opportunity to observe their nesting's, darn I love the little guys.
682075
I have done mantis eggs in the classroom. I ordered them and put them in the fridge until I was ready and they both hatched. I do agree with the previous posters answer, although I was told by the company I ordered them from that they would eat each other if no other food was provided. However, they did say that when hatched the mantids would have enough nutrients to survive and live harmoniously for what I think was a week. After around a week in the classroom, I took them home and let them go. It was awesome to see them throughout the summer!
179851
The ladybug's purchased from this vendor did not stay in my yard after they devoured the aphids. I don't know how to make a home for them as the other respondent states he did, however, you should find some information about that on the internet.
742721
we never saw 1 praying mantis... and believe me we tried. it was an experiment that sadly did not bode well here. I wont give up, i'd like to try again. we just never had a successful egg batch. GOOD LUCK!!!
1563466
Make sure it's in a warm enough location. I think a more humid condition helps as well. Now that you asked the question, it will probably hatch. :) Good luck!
2064075
I've used the flower pouches for many years. Never tried the seeds, mainly because seeds are so unpredictable. Some so well, some never sprout. I use small plants to start my plant bag. By small I mean get the smallest cup on the roots as possible. Begonias do very well in the bags. They are my favorite actually. Petunias do well but tend to get "leggy" and not so showy. Just water, and feed, the Begonias and they will out do themselves. Best wishes.