Can these bees make it through a Mid-Altantic Winter? (PICTS)

[Hemlock]

In a UNheated abandon falling down woods shack.  I'm thinking of putting then in a nuc.

[AllenF]

What does the shack look like, or how is it built and what of?   Is that window facing south?   How much in honey does that hive have?   Is it all new comb or can you tell if there is some old wax there? 

If you do take them and put them in a nuc, you will have to feed them like crazy.

[Hemlock]

I'll see the shack this week.  Picts are from the landowner. 

A typical shack will be an old share-cropper house from the late 1800's.  It will be drafty and shaded by large mature trees. 

These bees are likely from a Spring swarm.  This will be their first winter.  (Last winter was the worst in 50 years here.  Any colony swarming last spring would have been exceptionally strong the year before)

I would take the comb and rubber band it to frames.  That way I could keep whatever they have now, both brood & stores.  Feeding a single nuc like crazy is acceptable for now.  Plus i can steal a  honey frame from each of my other hives too.

The pict was taken a 2 pm this afternoon.  The Sun was out but i do not see direct light in the picts (possibly shaded).  Direction is unknown.  I'll ask the landowner tomorrow.

[AllenF]

If the landlord wants them out, I would take them.

[ronwhite3030]

I agree with allen, a bee box is going to give them better protection from the weather then a drafty old shack.

[Scadsobees]

Low.  But it looks like you can get to them without too much work, and if you can get the queen there's still a chance.  Looks like you'll have to do some feeding though.

You are only out the labor and the sugar, if you have the time, go for it!

-r

[tecumseh]

by the appearance of the comb this hive is relatively new.  if they are secure from water and snow they they may survive quite well right where they are.  once the temperature falls you will have a lot of problems in trying to remove the wax.  once cold temperatures has set in it is quite likely to shatter like glass.

[Hemlock]

Current daily highs in the 60's & night time lows in the 40's; so they're clustering.  I plan to get them this week.  I need to bone up on the removal process though.

[L Daxon]

Check out JP's removal videos on this site.  They will get you up to speed in no time.

[Kathyp]

yup.  his videos are great tutorials.  also check the list of equipment for removals and read through as much of that section as you can.