Why not talk to experts right in THAT area.  Gosh, Dr. Nick Calderone (the
successor
of Dr. Roger Morse) is right at Cornell in Ithaca.  Talk to Nick - he won't
bite!  The Ontario Beekeepers are an extremwly active group, and they might
advise you.
 
Everything you say is correct - but treating George Washington by bleeding
with leaches also correct, and new mothers were kept in hospitals for at least
10 days just 50 years ago.
 
When there is such a shortage of bees, it sames a shame to just sacrifice them
because it is easier.
 
Canadians USED to do just what you propose until they could no longer import
bees from the US because of mites.  Now, they winter bees, and most indicate
they don't want to reverse.
                                                                                                George Imirie