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What Does a Praying Mantis Do in Your Garden? The Complete Guide to Nature's Garden Guardian
If you've ever spotted a large, alien-looking insect with folded front legs perched motionless on a plant in your garden, you've encountered one of nature's most fascinating creatures. The praying mantis is often hailed as a "guardian of the garden" , but what exactly does it do there? The question what does praying mantis do in grow a garden reveals a complex story of predation, ecological balance, and the sometimes surprising role these insects play in our outdoor spaces. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore everything mantises do in gardens—from their hunting habits and preferred prey to their limitations and how to attract them.
Understanding what does praying mantis do in grow a garden is essential for any gardener who wants to work with nature rather than against it. These ancient predators have been patrolling gardens for millions of years, and their presence can tell you a lot about the health of your ecosystem. To deepen your understanding of these incredible insects and learn how to care for them, we highly recommend downloading the Free Praying Mantis Home Care Guide PDF. And if you want to invite these fascinating predators into your garden, you can Get Free Praying Mantis (no shipping cost) and start building a thriving garden ecosystem today.
The Praying Mantis: A Gardener's Predatory Ally
At its most basic level, the answer to what does praying mantis do in grow a garden is simple: they hunt and eat other insects. Praying mantises are carnivores, meaning they feed exclusively on other animals . They are "sit and wait" predators that pounce on any insect that comes too close . This predatory lifestyle makes them potentially valuable allies for gardeners looking to control pest populations naturally .
The praying mantis gets its name from the way it holds its large front legs in a folded position that resembles prayer . But don't let that pious pose fool you—those front legs are actually lethal weapons. They are greatly enlarged, lined with sharp spines, and can snap out with lightning speed to snatch up a victim and hold it fast while the mantis devours it alive . This is the primary answer to what does praying mantis do in grow a garden: they are efficient, patient hunters that keep insect populations in check.
These remarkable insects are among the largest and most visible in the late summer garden, with some species growing up to 5 inches long . They have excellent eyesight and are good fliers, which helps them easily locate plants being fed upon by smaller insects . Their ability to rotate their heads a full 180 degrees—unique among insects—helps them seek out prey from all angles .
What Do Praying Mantises Eat? The Garden Pest Menu
A key part of understanding what does praying mantis do in grow a garden is knowing what they eat. Mantises are not picky eaters—they'll consume virtually any insect they can catch . This menu includes many common garden pests that gardeners struggle with:
- Mosquitoes: These annoying blood-suckers are on the mantis menu .
- Flies: Both houseflies and other fly species are common prey .
- Moths: Adult moths are frequently caught and eaten .
- Crickets: These jumping insects are no match for a mantis's lightning-fast strike .
- Grasshoppers: Grasshoppers are typical fare for mantises .
- Beetles: Various beetle species become meals .
- Aphids: These tiny sap-suckers are eaten, especially by younger mantises .
- Cockroaches: Yes, mantises will even eat roaches .
- Caterpillars: Many caterpillar species are on the menu .
- Wasps: Even stinging insects can become prey .
As the season progresses and mantises grow larger, they pursue larger prey . Mature mantids have been known to capture rodents, frogs, and even hummingbirds on rare occasions . However, smaller prey like the insects listed above are their preferred food . When you ask what does praying mantis do in grow a garden, the answer largely revolves around this constant hunting and consumption of other insects.
The Problem: Mantises Don't Discriminate
While mantises do eat many pests, the answer to what does praying mantis do in grow a garden has a significant downside: they are not selective eaters. Praying mantises feed on any insect they can catch and commonly prey indiscriminately on beneficial and non-pest species . This means they'll also consume:
- Bees: Both honeybees and native bees are frequent victims .
- Butterflies: These beloved garden visitors are just as likely to be eaten as pests .
- Other beneficial insects: Ladybugs, hover flies (syrphids), and other predators can become meals .
- Their own siblings: Mantises are famously cannibalistic and will eat each other .
This indiscriminate eating means that the question what does praying mantis do in grow a garden has both positive and negative aspects. According to Iowa State University Extension, mantises "do not discriminate between beneficial and harmful insects and will eat their siblings, other beneficial insects, butterflies and pollinators such as bees" . The University of California Integrated Pest Management program notes that "mantids are relatively inactive, and despite their large size, each individual consumes relatively few insects" .
As a result, experts generally agree that the overall impact of mantises in the garden is probably negligible from a strict pest control perspective . Washington State University Extension states that "their contribution to garden pest control is usually less than their large as life image" . An Ask Extension expert from Colorado put it bluntly: "Adding praying mantises do a garden can be a lot of fun and some insects will certainly be eaten, but they are not considered a reliable control measure for garden insects. They eat too many different kinds of things (including siblings!) and in too small quantities to be effective pest control" .
The Life Cycle: How Mantises Contribute Year-Round
Understanding what does praying mantis do in grow a garden throughout the year requires knowledge of their life cycle. Mantises have one generation per year . They spend the summer eating and growing, mate in the fall, and then lay eggs in a stiff, foamy case called an ootheca .
Fall: Egg-Laying Season
In the fall, a female praying mantis produces eggs inside a foam-like hard case attached to branches, stems, walls, fences, sides of houses, and eaves . This protective casing, called an ootheca, looks similar to a dried fig or Styrofoam . Females lay between 200 and 300 eggs, depending on the species . The adults die with the first hard frost, leaving the eggs to overwinter in their protective cases . When you ask what does praying mantis do in grow a garden in fall, the answer is: they ensure next year's generation.
Winter: The Waiting Game
During winter, mantis egg cases can often be found from November through April . The eggs are insulated against the cold and somewhat protected from insect-eating creatures . The answer to what does praying mantis do in grow a garden during winter is nothing—they're waiting in egg form for spring warmth.
Spring: Hatching Time
In spring, warm weather brings the hatching of 100 to 200 newborn praying mantises, known as nymphs . They emerge as miniature replicas of the adults, ready to devour any garden pests that come their way . These tiny nymphs are immediately hungry and will begin hunting tiny prey like aphids . However, they're also immediately cannibalistic, which is why they disperse rapidly after hatching .
This hatching event is a fascinating thing to watch . The answer to what does praying mantis do in grow a garden in spring is that they repopulate the garden with dozens or hundreds of tiny predators that will grow throughout the summer.
How to Attract and Support Mantises in Your Garden
If you've decided you want these fascinating insects in your garden, there are several things you can do to attract and support them. The best way to persuade mantids to settle in your garden is simply to fill your space with a wide range of plants . Native plants work best because they more readily attract tasty insects . Bushes are the preferred habitat for newly hatched praying mantids, so landscapes that include plenty of shrubbery usually have an abundance of this predatory insect .
Here are key strategies for supporting mantises:
- Avoid pesticides: Using harmful pesticides may rid you of annoying little bugs, but it can cause praying mantises to die or to leave your outdoor area entirely . Avoid insecticides to create a safe haven for mantises .
- Leave stems standing: To help mantises lay their eggs and survive the winter, consider limiting any fall cleanup and leave stems and sticks alone until spring . When removing plants, make sure to check for oothecae .
- Protect egg cases: If you find an egg case, the recommended action is to keep it at winter temperatures in a box or jar in an unheated garage or porch . Do not keep it indoors or the eggs may hatch in January or February when there is no chance to release them outdoors .
- Purchase egg cases: Mantis egg cases can be purchased and set out in the garden in spring, but do not import more mantids if you already see them often in your yard .
By creating mantis-friendly habitat, you're answering what does praying mantis do in grow a garden with a proactive approach: you're inviting them to take up residence and do what they do best.
Are Mantises Friend or Foe? The Balanced View
So, after all this information, what does praying mantis do in grow a garden—are they friend or foe? The answer is nuanced. Mantises are fascinating creatures that add wonder and excitement to any garden. They do eat many pest insects, providing some level of natural pest control . They're not a threat to humans or pets . And they have an undeniable charisma that makes them enjoyable to watch.
However, they are not selective and will also eat beneficial insects like bees and butterflies . Their overall impact on pest populations is probably negligible . They're not a reliable control measure for garden insects .
The experts at Birds & Blooms offer this balanced perspective: "Praying mantises eat other insects, so they're sometimes recommended for pest control, but they're just as likely to eat pollinators as pests, so their impacts are mostly neutral" .
The UC Agriculture and Natural Resources program concludes that mantises are "relatively inactive, and despite their large size, each individual consumes relatively few insects" . They note that mantises are not a threat to humans or pets and cause minimal damage to foliage where they feed .
Ultimately, the answer to what does praying mantis do in grow a garden is that they're a neutral but fascinating presence. As one Master Gardener put it, "great: have a new friend in the garden that I will be visiting periodically!" .
Special Considerations: Invasive Species and Hummingbird Predation
When considering what does praying mantis do in grow a garden, it's important to note that not all mantises are equal. In North America, most large mantises belong to three introduced species—one from Europe and two from Asia—and they can cause problems when their populations are unnaturally high . Chinese mantids, in particular, are eye-catching but invasive, replacing native species such as the Carolina mantid .
If your garden seems overrun with mantises, experts recommend picking some off by hand (wear gloves) and removing them . In late fall, look for the distinctive mantis egg cases on your plants and destroy those to reduce the next year's population .
Another consideration is hummingbird predation. Twelve mantis species are known for capturing birds, with ruby-throated hummingbirds being prime targets because of their small size . If you have hummingbird feeders, mantises may snatch a hummingbird when pursuing insects drawn to the sugary water . To protect hummingbirds, consider moving feeders away from plants or installing physical barriers .
Conclusion: Appreciating Mantises for What They Are
So, what does praying mantis do in grow a garden? They hunt and eat other insects—both pests and beneficials alike. They add fascination and wonder to the garden with their alien appearance and patient hunting style. They lay eggs in protective cases that overwinter and hatch into dozens of tiny nymphs each spring. They're not the most effective pest control agents, but they're not harmful either. They're simply one part of a complex garden ecosystem.
The praying mantis reminds us that gardens are not just collections of plants—they're living communities where predator and prey relationships play out daily. By understanding and appreciating these relationships, we become better gardeners and better stewards of the natural world.
Whether you consider mantises friends, foes, or simply fascinating neighbors, there's no denying they add something special to the garden experience. The next time you spot one staring at you with those bulging eyes and rotating head, take a moment to appreciate the ancient predator in your midst. You're witnessing one of nature's most remarkable creations, doing exactly what it has done for millions of years.
We hope this guide has answered your questions about mantises in the garden and deepened your appreciation for these incredible insects. To continue learning about mantis care and how to support them in your garden, we invite you to download the Free Praying Mantis Home Care Guide PDF today. It's packed with expert information on mantis biology, behavior, and the best practices for supporting these remarkable insects. And if you're ready to welcome mantises into your garden, click here to Get Free Praying Mantis (no shipping cost) and start building a thriving, balanced garden ecosystem. Whether as pest control or simply as fascinating garden residents, mantises will enrich your connection to the natural world.