Q.A Praying Mantis Laid Her Eggs Inside My Patio Umbrella Which Will Be Taken Down For Winter & Stored In Garage. Should I Leave? Mo
ve? we are in CT A Praying mantis was hanging out on our sunny deck this week & was last seen inside our patio umbrella. Now I see an egg sac but no momma. We will be taking the umbrellas down for the season very soon (we live in southern CT). Is it safe to keep in garage? Should the egg sac be removed & put somewhere else? If so where? In our garden? Does it need to be shielded somehow? And how do we do this if we need to? Thanks for your help!
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
You can remove it and place it outside in a protected area, but not on the ground. The cases are hardened so you should be able to remove it easily. These articles tell more:
https://blogs.k-state.edu/kansasbugs/2020/04/24/praying-mantid-egg-cases/
https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/flowers-fruits-and-frass/2020-10-23-fall-finds-praying-mantis-egg-cases
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/beneficial/praying-mantis-egg-sac-info.htm
