From your description this is almost certainly crystallised stores. If the white grainy material is soluble in water that would confirm this. In order to use this bees need to gather water to reliquify it. If it's to cold to fly they can't do this so they starve. The best way to avoid this is to feed enough syrup in the autumn so your sure the bees have sufficient stores that aren't going too granulate. Once the weather warms up and the bees are flying freely these combs can be used to feed colonies that need it. I would uncap the crystallised cells first to make sure the bees deal with the problem straight away. I've seen this problem here in the UK especially when we get a good late flow from ivy. I feed during the ivy flow in an attempt to dilute the ivy nectar with syrup. Regards Joe ______________________________________________________________________ This message contains information that may be privileged or confidential and is the property of the Cap Gemini/Ernst & Young Group. It is intended only for the person to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy, disseminate, distribute, or use this message or any part thereof. If you receive this message in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete all copies of this message :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: --- Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.462 / Virus Database: 261 - Release Date: 13/03/2003 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.462 / Virus Database: 261 - Release Date: 13/03/2003 :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::