Newbie from USA

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Well that's rich, coming from a Welshman
(Tin hat on...)

Yes - things have never been the same since the Romans came - then went, and left the back door open for the saxon hordes; That's why we abandoned the land between the Severn and the Channel (wasn't much good anyway - far too flat)

 

[tonybloke]

He just forgets about things.

Two hives are doing good, two are slow and lean population. One of the hives split and swarmed recently because of not checking for new queens.

Hives are the common white square looking ones.

There is always a bunch of bees on the floor around the hives, some look in their last leg and some have damaged wings. Is that normal?

sounds like a heavy Varroa infestation, causing the spread of DWV (deformed wing virus)
can i suggest your friend treats the colonies asap with a thymol based product.

 

[Carlos Alonso]

That is sad, unfortunately he has selective hearing. And I'm not a trusted source to tell him anything abut his bees.

If I place a hive in this property, am I in danger of getting those infections?

 

[tonybloke]

That is sad, unfortunately he has selective hearing. And I'm not a trusted source to tell him anything abut his bees.

If I place a hive in this property, am I in danger of getting those infections?

no more than you would be with a hive within 2 miles of his site
as long as you inspect and treat as necessary your bees should be fine