What should I use to house my giant asian? I was going to get 32oz containers to house them but they are only big enough to hold them until 5th instar. Recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Like you said the 32 oz are not good for long time keeping. Here's an Idea I occasionaly use. This is useful for when you are overrun with nymphs or for some forum member who live overseas, it is not easy to get a lot of different containers like we can purchase here. What I like about this set up is it is
#1 very inexpensive, # 2 only takes a few minutes to make, #3 can be throw out after taking off the screen so there is no cleaning involved.
#1 First I take a box the size I would like my mantis species to be in, this one happens to be a shipping box, 12" x 12" that somehow got the four sides that close cut off :} , I hot glue the bottom closed and of course the top has its ears cut off, then I make a door in the one side and using the same hole saw seen here:
I drill the hole in the door for adding my feeders, the door is big enough to get my hand in if need be, which also is big enough for the mantis to go into.
#2 Then I go and cut some branches or any outdoor fresh leaves and twigs to glue in place inside, making sure I put one hanging over the door a little so the door will not push inside, ( This makes a door stop) and then I put some fresh spaghnum moss on the floor.
#3 Now I cut my screen, in this one I used fiberglass screen, cutting it 14' x 14". I then hot glue it all around the opening and walaa! Good to go. Add the plug and the mantis and your all set. I have 2 female Arizona and two males in here for breeding. I really like this set up, it is warm, misting does not hurt the cardboard, it smells heavenly and the mantis have a nice clean big place to live.