What to Do If You Find Praying Mantis Eggs in Christmas Tree Branches

It’s not something you expect to find when setting up your Christmas tree—nestled among the branches, a curious, walnut-shaped mass catches your eye. While it might look like a harmless piece of bark, it could actually be a cluster of praying mantis eggs! Yes, praying mantises occasionally lay their eggs on trees, including Christmas trees, and one viral post from 2017 reminded people just how surprising this discovery can be. Here’s what you should do if you find these fascinating little egg masses, and how to protect both your tree and your home.

Do Praying Mantises Lay Eggs on Christmas Trees?

The short answer is: they can. Praying mantises typically lay their eggs on tree branches, shrubs, or other vegetation outdoors. Real Christmas trees, harvested from outdoor tree farms, may carry more than just the scent of fresh pine into your home. Occasionally, you might find insects, spiders, or even praying mantis egg cases hitching a ride. That said, finding praying mantis eggs on a Christmas tree isn’t very common. Many tree farms take precautions to inspect their trees before they’re sold, but there’s always a chance that something slips through.

What Do Praying Mantis Eggs Look Like?

Praying mantis eggs are laid in a structure called an ootheca. It’s a firm, foam-like casing that resembles a small, brown lump of hardened material. The size is often compared to a walnut or a marshmallow. Each ootheca can house between 100 to 200 tiny mantises. If brought indoors and kept warm, these eggs could hatch, releasing a swarm of miniature mantises into your home.

What Should You Do If You Find Praying Mantis Eggs in Your Christmas Tree?

First things first: don’t panic! Finding a praying mantis egg case might actually be a good sign—mantises are beneficial insects that help control garden pests. Here’s how to handle the situation:

1. Identify the Egg Case: Double-check that what you’re looking at is indeed a praying mantis egg case. If it’s brown, hard, and attached to a branch, it’s likely ootheca.
2. Relocate It Outdoors: Instead of leaving it indoors where it might hatch, carefully clip the branch or twig holding the egg mass. Take it outside to your garden and secure it to a tree, bush, or other vegetation. The mantises will hatch naturally when the weather warms up.
3. Inspect the Rest of the Tree: While praying mantises are fascinating, you don’t want other pests in your home. Give your tree a thorough inspection for any additional egg cases, spiders, or insects.
4. Clean the Area: If you’ve already brought the tree inside, vacuum the surrounding area to pick up any potential pests that might have fallen off during setup.

Tips for Taking Care of Your Real Christmas Tree

Bringing a real tree into your home is one of the joys of the holiday season, but it does come with some responsibilities. Here are some tips to keep your tree fresh—and pest-free:

• Shake the Tree Before Bringing It Indoors: Many tree farms offer shaking services to remove loose needles and insects. If this wasn’t done, give the tree a good shake outside.
• Inspect Carefully: Check for signs of egg cases, spider webs, or other pests on the branches and trunk.
• Keep It Cool: Maintain a cooler temperature in the room where the tree is displayed to discourage hatching or pest activity.
• Water Regularly: A hydrated tree stays fresher longer and reduces the chances of attracting insects.
  

Why It’s Best Not to Leave Praying Mantis Eggs Indoors

If praying mantis eggs hatch inside your home, you could have dozens—or even hundreds—of baby mantises crawling around. While harmless to humans, this can still be quite the unwelcome surprise! Keeping the egg cases outside ensures that these beneficial insects have the chance to hatch and thrive in their natural environment.

While finding praying mantis eggs in Christmas tree branches isn’t a common occurrence, it’s not impossible. A quick inspection of your tree before bringing it indoors can save you from any surprises later. If you do spot an ootheca, don’t worry—simply relocate it outdoors, where it belongs. By following these tips, you can enjoy a pest-free holiday season while keeping nature in balance. And who knows? The next time you find a little walnut-shaped mass, you’ll know exactly what to do!