Most people fall on one of two sides when it comes to their Christmas tree preference — some love real trees while others insist on an artificial tree, but when it comes to live Christmas tree shopping in the Show-Me state, a Missouri praying mantis might be part of the deal. Artificial trees certainly have their advantages, including less upkeep. However, if you have a real Missouri Christmas tree in your home or plan to bring one in, do a thorough check for a praying mantis egg sac first. Don’t panic if you find one, but here’s what you need to know.

Christmas is right around the corner, and that means most of us are knee-deep in or have already finished decorating.
Eric E Castro, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Your chance of finding a praying mantis egg sac on your Christmas tree, according to some experts, is relatively low, about 1 in 100,000.
NC State University Extension
We still like to know what to do just in case.
Trees from Christmas tree farms usually don’t have a Missouri praying mantis sac, known as an ootheca, or other insects, because farmers typically use chemicals to keep them away.
Flickr/Kaarina Dillabough
If you have a real Christmas tree, you’ll definitely want to check it— branch by branch — for a praying mantis egg sac.
faerie from a lost star, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Start by going through your tree limb by limb before you bring it into the house as they are filled with praying mantises ready to hatch.

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A praying mantis sac has a pinecone shape, although it’s about the size of a walnut.
Flickr/Melissa
When the praying mantises hatch, you’ll see them start to poke through the sack. Normally, the praying mantis sac will remain in the trees, where they’ll be warm and protected until they hatch in late spring or early summer.
If you find a praying mantis sac, cut off the entire branch, including the sac, take it outdoors, find an evergreen tree; and place it in the tree.
Flickr/the great 8
There it should remain safe and warm, ready to hatch when the weather changes. If there are praying mantis sacs on your tree in your home, they’re going to warm up rather quickly. That, in turn, will likely cause them to hatch earlier (since the inside temperature mimics that of spring).
The praying mantis Missouri that hatch in your tree will die of starvation unless you take action.
Flickr/Daniela
When a female lays a praying mantis egg sac, as many as 400 during the fall, she does so in trees, usually Fraser fir trees.
Bryce McQuillan, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
While the chances of you finding a praying mantis sac are minimal, now you know how to check for one.
Kgbo, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
After all, you don't want to be known as the folks who have a praying mantis for sale Missouri.

Check out this video and how one family found out they had a praying mantis egg sac on their Christmas tree.

Where do you get your Missouri Christmas tree every year? Or, do you prefer to decorate an artificial tree? Let us know in the comments! If you need a break during the holiday season, pile the whole family into the car, turn up the Christmas carols, and head to one of these drive-thru Christmas lights displays. For some Christmas decorations, shop online at Etsy.

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More to Explore

Christmas Tree Farms In Missouri

Carolyn Harmon | October 23, 2023

What are the best Christmas tree farms in Missouri?

  • Starr Pines  (21298 Pleasant Hill Road, Boonville, MO): One quick way to fill your home with the holiday spirit is to purchase a live Christmas tree. Saws are provided on the farm to cut one of the fresh pine or fir trees. And this annual event gives a broader experience with spiced cider with which to warm yourselves, candy, and a slew of ornaments and hand-crafted items for purchase. You can also have a chat with the furry, Wise Donkeys, visit the free-range chickens, and even purchase some farm-fresh eggs when in stock to go into your Christmas baking.
  • Branch Ranch (2551 CR 159, Philadelphia, MO): From the day after Thanksgiving and on each weekend up until Christmas, you have a chance to purchase a live tree from this lovely farm of approximately 6,000 trees and counting. The trees here are so fancy, they have earned First place in the Annual Christmas Tree Association competitions and went to the Missouri State Capitol. And the owners even have a Tree House, offering a look at the model train, the Christmas Tree Express.
  • Christmas Ranch Tree Farm (24818 NE 148th St. Excelsior Springs, MO): Visit 25 acres of scotch and white pines, blue spruce, Norway spruce, Canaan fir, and other varieties of trees on this beautiful farm. The staff will meet you at your car with a saw and give you directions. Also, visit Santa and take a picturesque wagon ride while you're there. For more information, visit the Christmas Ranch Tree Farm website.

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