Boxer mantid pair

Are praying mantis' or walking sticks either one harmful to humans? Will they bite if you pick them up? I have alot of them around my house, and I have always been tempted to pick them up. But I want to make sure they don't bite or sting first. Thanks.

Anytime I have picked up one of them, they never have bit me. I use to pick them up all the time when I was little and they havent caused any harm

As long as you're gentle with them, Praying Mantises won't try to attack you when handled. Even if a Mantis is annoyed to the point it attacks, they can't do much harm. Even the biggest Mantises could only do as much damage as several pinpricks. It might bleed but not much, and there are no Mantis species that use venom. Walkingsticks for the most part are even more harmless, being plant-eaters, though some species emit a toxic chemical when disturbed that can cause burning to the eyes and mouth.