How To Get Rid Of A Praying Mantis

Praying mantises are a type of insect that looks like it is praying while it walks around as it holds the forearms up and walks on four legs. The insect is an interesting looking creature and is generally considered beneficial because it kills and eats insects that invade gardens. Unfortunately, if you have several praying mantises in your yard and they start to get in your house, they can become a pest. They are also known to bite humans, which is potentially painful but not poisonous. When you feel like they are more pest than help in your yard, getting rid of the mantis is the logical option.

Step 1

Put on thick gloves and pick up the mantis. Try to pick it up from behind so that the forelegs and the mouth are in front of your hands. Praying mantises have strong and sharp forelegs and their bite is painful. While they cannot kill a human and do not have poison, they can hurt you with their powerful forelegs and bite. The gloves can minimize that possibility.

Step 2

Place the mantis in a box and cover it with the lid. Make air holes in the box lid for that are not large enough for the mantis to get out.

Step 3

Relocate the mantis. While you might not want the mantis in your yard, they are beneficial in general. You can see if another gardener wants the mantis or if a school can use it for lessons.

Step 4

Kill the mantis if you prefer. If you don't want to bother with relocating the insect or otherwise feel you should kill it, it is perfectly legal to get rid of the praying mantis by killing it. Smaller mantises you can step on and crush with your shoe. For a larger mantis, hit it with a gardening implement or similar item.