Top Bar Beekeeping in Arlington Heights

 $100 to a friend of Sean Lantz. No bees 2023.  Whole population of bees seemed low all summer regardless. Including the top bar hive books. I kept the suit and the smoker -- maybe I will restart next year with a Langstroth.  or not.

 None.  Zip. Nada.  Posted the hives on DDC to sell them, maybe try Langstroth.  Sean may have an interested friend.

 I moved the hives apart, one in the island, one in the corner.  Have been spraying lure into each once a week or so.  I have only so far seen one bee. It has been cold up until last week, so maybe colonies are getting a slow start, but I sure am starting to think I won't get any swarms....

 Hopefully signs of a swarm soon!

 Finally was able to get out there with all the snow melting.  Bees were dead.  Took most combs of honey, got at least a gallon I would say.  Best filtering happened through new white socks.  Then I could squeeze it to get it to filter faster. Pantyhose would probably work out best. Guess I will see about catching swarms again. These bees did a lot more comb to comb attaching than the other ones.

 Still a cluster.  And they made an excellent propolis windblock at the entrace. Today is 55 to 19 degrees in a few hours.  Hope they make it.