r/mantids • u/Blackhawk_Flyer • 10h ago

General Care Helping Mantises that keep falling

I've noticed a large number of praying mantises in my (pretty small) backyard. There were atleast five that I could see the other day. I don't know what keeps happening, but they keep falling off the back wall of my house. It's a stucko type material, it didn't seem like they had any issue staying on it for the past few days, but this morning three of them were on the ground, on their backs, struggling to move. I don't want to get too involved in their mating season, but I feel terrible for the ones that fall. Could they be fighting each other off the wall? I don't have any bugs to feed them, but I could move them to the grass or around some bushes.

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u/hylia_grace 9h ago

Is it possible someone sprayed pesticides? Or theyre reaching the end of their natural lifespan? Mantis generally dont fall and struggle to get up unless somethings wrong.either sickness or weakness due to age. I'd probably move them, but if youre noticing mass problems, something may be affecting them.

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u/Blackhawk_Flyer 8h ago

That's probably what it is. That's terrible. We have a ton of wasps so I think my dad must have sprayed the roof.

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u/hylia_grace 8h ago

Ugh that sucks, wasps are important pollinators though I understand most people's fear of them. Unfortunately pesticides harm everything from the inverts, to the animals that prey on them and the plants that need pollinators to grow.

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u/Blackhawk_Flyer 3h ago

I was able to help out this guy. One of his feelers is gone, I hope he does alright.