In a message dated 08/29/1999 8:03:29 AM Eastern Daylight Time, [log in to unmask]
writes:

<< Here in southeastern Michigan I have
 never so much as wrapped my hives for the 21 years I have had bees, and
unless
 mites or some other disaster st\rikes they do just fine >>

I would echo these thoughts for central Piedmont Virginia.  I've never found
winter to be a problem for the bees and what you speak of sounds like a great
deal of work for very little return.  Besides, you would need to move them
far away at first, let them acclimate to that area and then a week or two
later move them back again. As the old saying goes, you can move them an inch
or five miles - not much inbetween.  My advice would be to save your energy.

Regards, Faith Andrews Bedford, Ivy, VA