I found a praying mantis hanging out on a straw hat in my clothing store 2 weeks ago, and it seems to be barely hanging on. Several times I thought she was gone for good, but then I've rescued her from a spider web, then from getting stepped on in the doorway. She re-appeared yesterday, and a friend said I should put her outside, so I did - on a bush with ants, hoping she would eat them. I came back to check on her a few hours later, and she was covered in ants, upside down. She was still moving a little, so I managed to get all of the ants off her and put her back inside on a shelf. Today she seemed much better, but is missing an antenae and a leg seems out of whack. It's hot and dry here in California, so I'm wondering if I should be misting her? I've seen her ignore a fly a few inches away - should I buy insects for her? How long does a molt last, if that's why she isn't eating?
thanks for any help!