I may end up getting some flies from you in the future Rebecca. Roaches are working for me, but I'm not sure they're the ideal choice. You've got to be real careful not to create little nooks and crannies where the roaches can stay out of reach of the mantises. Like between the inside wall of...
I think a pooter is the only way to control small quantities. I've been using a regular plastic straw with some mesh (panty hose) rubber-banded over the mouth side.
I kept all my newborn Chinese mantis nymphs in the same container for quite some time. I'm sure there were significant die offs, but I started out with way more than I needed. It's as if two little nymphs merge into one nymph that's twice as big. A worthwhile tradeoff.
I want to get off the Repashy SuperFly, so I've been trying my homegrown mashed potato flakes and powdered sugar recipe. I add a pinch of mold inhibitor and yeast. So far, the melanogaster seem to like it. I'm keeping the hydei on SuperFly. I hear they're more finicky.