Post-Swarm Timeline

After a swarm, track when the remaining colony will have a laying queen. Know when to expect eggs and when to worry.

Starting point

Swarm date (when the swarm left) Capped queen cells date

Date swarm left

Safety buffer (days)

Extra days before worrying about missing queen.

Don't panic! After a swarm, it's normal for the hive to seem queenless for 2-3 weeks. The new queen needs time to emerge, mate, and start laying.

Dec 6 Dec 31

Swarm Date

Queen Emergence

Orientation Flights

Mating Flights

Swarm Date

Primary swarm departed

Sat, Dec 6

Queen Emergence

Virgin queen emerges (may fight with other virgins)

Mon, Dec 8

Orientation Flights

Virgin queen takes orientation flights

Thu, Dec 11 – Mon, Dec 15

Mating Flights

Queen takes mating flights

Sat, Dec 13 – Mon, Dec 22

Earliest Eggs

Don't expect eggs before this date

Mon, Dec 15

Typical Eggs

Eggs typically appear around this time

Mon, Dec 22

Check by Date

If no eggs, consider checking for a failed queen

Wed, Dec 31

Don't expect eggs before

Mon, Dec 15

If no eggs by

Wed, Dec 31

consider investigating

Hive name (for calendar)

Label this hive so you know which one to check

Swarms typically leave when queen cells are capped or nearly capped.
The first virgin to emerge often eliminates rival queens still in cells.
Mating requires multiple successful flights over several days.
Weather significantly impacts mating success – cold or rainy periods extend the timeline.
A failed queen may result in laying workers after 2-3 weeks.