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Natural Insect Control

Praying Mantis (Tenodera sinensis) | Cocoon

$1999
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Hatching chamber
⚠️ Attention – Separate shipping
This product is shipped separately by our partner Natural Insect Control .
Delivery charges cannot be combined with other items on the site.

Praying mantises, a natural ally to help reduce insects in the garden!

The praying mantis (Tenodera sinensis) ootheca is a popular biological control option for gardeners who want to complement their practices with a more natural approach. Offered in collaboration with [Partner Name] , this ootheca can produce, once conditions are right, an average of 40 to 200 young mantises (nymphs) that quickly disperse into the environment.

The praying mantis is a generalist predator : it hunts a wide variety of insects in the garden (e.g., grasshoppers, crickets, flies, moths, caterpillars, aphids, etc.). It is an interesting solution for maintaining the balance of the garden, especially when insect pressure is high.

At Les Semis de la Seigneurie, we have been using oothecae in the garden for years : it is a solution we know well and recommend as a complement to good practices (observation, diversity in the garden, targeted interventions).

To learn more: https://www.semisseigneurie.ca/blogs/trucs-jardinage/les-mantes-religieuses

Why choose this praying mantis ootheca?

✅ Offered in collaboration with Natural Insect Control
✅ Biological control – a natural approach in the garden
✅ In collaboration with Natural Insect Control
✅ Abundant hatching – 40 to 200 nymphs on average per ootheca
✅ Generous coverage – approximately 90 to 280 m² (1,000 to 3,000 sq ft) depending on insect pressure
✅ Easy to install – hang in the garden at the right time
✅ Easy storage – keep refrigerated until installation (do not freeze)

Use in Quebec (zone 4b and above)

In Quebec, installation usually takes place in the spring (often in May) , when temperatures become more stable. The goal is to release them early enough to allow the mantises time to grow and be active in the garden during the season.
⚠️ Avoid a release that is too late: ideally before the end of August .

Producer's advice

💚 Keep refrigerated (not frozen) until installation
🌿 Install in the shade, sheltered from direct sunlight and heavy rain
🪢 Hang 1 to 1.5 m high from a sturdy branch/shrub
🕊️ Recommended option: mesh bag to protect against birds/rodents (1/4 to 1/2 inch mesh)
🌥️ Set up in the early evening or on a cloudy day

What to expect (hatching)

In warm and stable conditions ( 24–27°C / 75–80°F ) with daily misting, hatching can take 10 to 15 days . In spring, with fluctuating temperatures, it can take 6 to 8 weeks .
The nymphs often disperse within 1 to 2 hours : it's normal not to "see" the hatching. And a hatched ootheca doesn't necessarily look very different from an unhatched one.

🌱 “CULTURE” (GARDEN INSTALLATION)

Conservation (before installation)

  • Keep at fridge (do not freeze)
  • Ideally, install in the spring ( often in May ).
  • Avoid releasing too late (before the end of August)

Facility

  • Attach/suspend the ootheca to 1 to 1.5 m (3 to 5 ft) height
  • Choose a place shaded and sheltered
  • Protect from heavy rain and direct sunlight
  • Optional: a mesh bag (1/4 to 1/2 inch mesh) to allow the nymphs to escape while protecting the ootheca

🌟 MAIN FEATURES

Species: Tenodera sinensis (Chinese praying mantis, non-native, established in Ontario)
Format: Ootheca (egg capsule with a mousse-like texture)
Hatching: 40 to 200 nymphs on average per ootheca (sometimes more)
Coverage: 90 to 280 m² (1,000 to 3,000 sq ft) depending on insect pressure
Storage: Refrigerate (do not freeze) until installation (often in May)
Partner: Offered in collaboration with Natural Insect Control

💡 SIMPLE GUIDE (COVER RECOMMENDED)

  • 1 ootheque : approximately 90 to 280 m² (1,000 to 3,000 sq ft)
  • Small gardens (< 5,000 sq ft) with high pressure: 2 to 3 oothecae may be useful

⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTES

  • Praying mantises are generalist predators They can also eat useful insects.
  • Handle gently; avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and heavy rain.
  • Not recommended for indoor use without a suitable enclosure and food.
  • Tenodera sinensis is not native, but established in Ontario and legal for garden use (according to supplier information).

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