Hi All A while back there was a discussion about what to do when a colonie becomes pollen bound. In my area we have a good winter pollen flow of various succulent fauna and so on. Hence the hives get pollen bound as they are not rearing as actively. I used these pollen frames to settle swarms, as did not want to sacrifice too many frames of brood - here our swarming season is before the flow. Then I put the swarms in my cellar for three days and fed them much honey by a drip feed (about half a cup a day of pure honey - heated). (Note the cape bee can fly in egg laying condition) What I found is that after three days the queen had layed extensively in all the cells available and as a result the swarms were settled. Then putting them outside meant I did not have to worry about them leaving. The swarms also seemed to be healthier than other swarms that did not have the pollen frames. Of a total of 23 swarms given pollen frames, 19 of them stayed. This is as opposed to the far less successful system of putting them straight in a box for which about half stayed. Keep well Garth --- Garth Cambray Kamdini Apiaries 15 Park Road Apis melifera capensis Grahamstown 800mm annual precipitation 6139 Eastern Cape South Africa Phone 27-0461-311663 3rd year Biochemistry/Microbiology Rhodes University Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this post in no way reflect those of Rhodes University.