Praying mantises lay egg cases (oothecae) outdoors in late summer or fall.
Christmas trees are grown on outdoor farms, so branches can already have egg cases attached.
The ootheca looks like a small brown, foamy, walnut-shaped lump, which is easy to miss.
When the tree is brought indoors, the warmth can trigger early hatching.
Is it dangerous?
❌ Not dangerous to people or pets
❌ Not harmful to the tree
⚠️ Impractical indoors: the babies will scatter and won’t survive long without food
What to do if you find one
Do not panic
Clip the branch holding the egg case
Place it outside on a tree, shrub, or sheltered garden spot
This allows the mantises to hatch naturally in spring, where they’re actually helpful insects
How to prevent surprises
Inspect your tree before bringing it inside
Look closely for unusual brown masses on branches
Gently shake the tree outdoors if possible
Fun fact 🌿
Praying mantises are considered beneficial insects because they eat garden pests—so finding their eggs isn’t a bad thing, just inconvenient indoors.
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