I'm from Southern Missouri and we have drones in caped cells now.
Have you checked your hives? That is your best indicator.
I will start Queen rearing a week after drones hatch.
My queens are laying. I should have emerging brood in another week. Educated guess, I should have drones out and about by the end of the month for sure (if not sooner depending on weather and hive strength etc)
Right,, the swarms know, Look in the swarm capture by state for last year when the big pick up was.
For me here in Mich, when the dandelions turn to white fuzz you can mate queens, When the bloom is all yellow you can graft or split, not sure of the date it is different every year.
A forum community dedicated to beekeeping, bee owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about breeding, honey production, health, behavior, hives, housing, adopting, care, classifieds, and more!