Looking a "gift hive" in the mouth?

[Kimbrell]

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....

[Michael Bush]

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.