Can Preying Mantis' take care of garden pests?

[BenGman]

I was wondering if preying mantises could get rid of all (or most infamous) pests in my garden without eating my plants?

[tb]

Sure. They only eat live insects, not plants. They eat *all* insects, not just the ones you would like for them to eat. You want to have them eating when you have bugs you want eaten, so a bit of a juggling act, and they don't live forever and they don't stay where you put them exactly.

[Katra]

Mantises don't eat plants... ;-) While they are voracious predators, they can only be in limited numbers in any one area because they also eat each other!

A mix of predators works best...

[Hunter77]

It's actually "praying mantis" because they look like they are praying These insects can be very helpful in destroying harmful bugs Lady(beetles)bugs will also help

-- Hunter77