Any where north of the equator, the queens are reducing their laying and the workers are reducing their wax production. This will continue until winter solstice, approx. Dec. 20. After that, they will begin spring activity, starting at the equator and working north. Texas will start before NC, which is mid Jan, to beginning Feb., but not by much. The bees produced for wintering are not the same bees as produced for summer. Their entire make up is different.
Yes, I would still wait.