[Rod harms]

When can I expect to see queens laying and drones in area so I can start some new queens

 

[Hoot Owl Lane Bees]

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.

 

[pinkpantherbeekeeper]

North Central Indiana hereally

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)

 

[AR1]

I expect swarms in May here in N Illinois. That tells me the bees think that's when it's time to make new queens.

 

[My-smokepole]

North west ohio we had a report of a hive with purple eye drones a couple days ago

 

[Gray Goose]

I expect swarms in May here in N Illinois. That tells me the bees think that's when it's time to make new queens.

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.

GG