Humidity

[Shane95]

Do you guys use hygrometers to measure humidity or do you just eyeball it?

I bought one of those cheap stick on hygrometers and I'm wondering what % to aim for (mantis = Sphrodomantis kersteni)

I'm thinking around 70%.

 

[soundspawn]

I have gauges, stickers, and electronic sensors all over - my room is more like a lab though so I may not be the best example. I do strongly recommend you measure your temp/humidity though, as it's vital to a mantids health.

For your mantis, 70 is a little high, you want 50-60% - it is okay to brush against 70% at night if you are dropping the temp (because relative humidity will rise if temp drops), but if you try to hold it that high he'll be getting hit with 80% or more at times and that's way too much.

I'd be doing 78-82 degrees at 55% humidity and if you want a longer lifespan drop the temp to 68-72 each night.

 

[Shane95]

For your mantis, 70 is a little high, you want 50-60%

I'd be doing 78-82 degrees at 55% humidity and if you want a longer lifespan drop the temp to 68-72 each night.

50-60 % is a lot less than I expected, looks like I wont have to mist that often (unless for drinking water).

do you know how accurate the stick on hygrometers are? It's reading at 50% now while sitting on my desk.

 

[soundspawn]

50-60 % is a lot less than I expected, looks like I wont have to mist that often (unless for drinking water).

do you know how accurate the stick on hygrometers are? It's reading at 50% now while sitting on my desk.

They aren't great but really nothing consumer grade is (I'm not being snooty, my stuff is consumer grade too lol). It will probably be fairly accurate, like +/- 10% which is why shooting for that middle range is going to be a safe bet. 50% indoors is reasonable, I would believe that.

You can test accuracy with a saltwater test: http://www.wikihow.com/Test-a-Hygrometer

Basically if you trap a hydrometer in a bag with moist salt, the humidity in the bag will hit and hold at exactly 75%. Compare that known humidity to your reading and you'll know how far off your sensor is

 

[Mantis Man13]

Sphrodomantis genus usually requires 60 percent humidity and 21-30 Celsius. Yes, you should use a hygrometer.

 

[Crazy4mantis]

I don't use a hydrometer I just spray a few times a day and a bit more while molting. I've never had any problems. You can use one if you want to.

 

[soundspawn]

I don't use a hydrometer I just spray a few times a day and a bit more while molting. I've never had any problems. You can use one if you want to.

You are also in LA yes? Where humidity is locked at 60-70% 10 or 11 months out of the year? I get that this advice may work for you, but I really feel obligated to say you should keep in mind people may take your advice in situations not nearly as ideal as yours.

This would be like saying "I don't use a seatbelt I just live in a place where everyone drives super slow", but obviously you can't take that advice outside of your bubble. If there is one thing I've learned in my career it's "what gets measured gets managed".

Please figure out what your humidity is before deciding you don't need to watch it, a hydrometer is like $2 and it could vastly improve your mantids quality of life (or even save it).