Billy, welcome to our forum, so great you have found us. You have have great success with that colony of bees that you got, and the honey from the absconded colony is a bonus. I think your climate supports bees all year around. Stick around, this will be a place where you will see you can tell your stories, tales and experiences, to people who care and listen. We love new members. You are deeply held under the spell of the honeybee that is clear -- we are all too. Have a most wonderful day and awesome life, health. Cindi