The influence of adding empty combs to colonies on the proportions of foraging honeybees returning to hives with nectar, pollen, pollen and nectar, or water, and of unsuccessful foragers was examined. Increased amounts of empty comb resulted in an increase in the proportion of nectar foragers, a decrease in the proportion of pollen foragers and a decrease in the proportion of foragers for both nectar and pollen. The proportions of bees collecting water, and of unsuccessful foragers perhaps decreased slightly.