honeybee selection

[Gware]

I have heard that honeybees that have survived on their own for several years makes good stock to keep. Is this true? I have a chance to get a hive out of an old house that I think has survived on its own for several years? How can I tell if they have lived there a long time ( the comb I saw looked white is this a recent swarm from some where?) and would they be good stock to keep!

[dpence]

Survivor stock is good to have.  I like diversity.  I would say hive them and make your own observations.  I took a hive out of a two-story and it was huge, but it had new comb near the honey stores.  Hard to tell age of a hive, guy told me it had been there at least five years.  But he also said it had swarmed several times. Good luck.

David