As spring kicks into high gear and flowers bloom across San Diego, bees are making their presence known, and not always in a good way. With honey bee sightings on the rise, the County's Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures is sounding the alarm on how to avoid getting stung. Their main advice? Don't poke the beehive – figuratively and literally.

Bees play a key role in our ecosystem, especially during this season when they buzz about pollinating plants left and right. However, disturbing these winged workers can lead to some painful consequences. According to the experts, if a swarm of bees feels threatened, it's best to hightail it out of there to safety.

County News Center reports that San Diegans may come across two bee varieties more than any other: the European honey bees, known for their chill vibes, and the not-so-calm Africanized honey bees that don't handle lawn mowing or any other vibrations very well. These feisty fliers have a rep for going on the offensive if their turf is encroached upon, making them less than ideal for farming or honey production.

So what does a bee skirmish sound like? A distinct buzzing that can spell either a temporary resting swarm or a permanent and, hence, more perilous hive. Swarms are typically more easygoing, but don't let your guard down just because they haven't set up shop yet. On the contrary, if you stumble upon a hive, steer clear. These bees have babies and breakfast to protect, and they won't hesitate to go all mama bear on you – or in this case, mama bee.

Should these buzzing bands make a home in an inconvenient spot like your attic or even a city meter box, don't play hero. For utility box scenarios, ring up your service provider. When the bees are buzzing on your own property, the County won't bail you out – it's on you to call in the pros. And in case things go from bad to worse with an aggressive assault from a swarm, the advice is clear: call 911 and let the emergency services handle it.