I have the opportunity to add several new hives to my beeyard. A man who no longer wants bees has offered me five hives. While I want the bees, I am somewhat concerned about disease. I know nothing about what treatments the bees have or have not had. I am able to locate the new bees about half a mile from my current hives. Because the weather has turned cool and the bees are not flying much, I thought I might try it. However I would like advice and opinions on the possible problems I could find....
Go inspect the hives. Look for scale or sunken cappings or any other signs of foulbrood. Do a sugar roll or other assessment of the mite loads. If they have a lot of Varroa, but are otherwise healthy, do some oxalic acid by whatever method you choose and move them to your yard. If they don't have a lot of Varroa and are otherwise healthy, move them to your yard. If they are not healthy, leave them there.