External colonies - surviving winter

[montauk170]

Just wondering, those swarms that form external colonies, like building their home/combs on tree branches, what are their chances of survive the winter (rain, cold, etc)?

[D Coates]

Depending where in the US.  Minnesota?, not a chance.  Southern Florida?, decent chance.  The everything else in between with the further north you go the lower your chances get.

[montauk170]

San Francisco California area.
I think I'll go save the colony now and work hard to build them up after hiving instead of having them linger there through the cold.