Thanks to the recent moisture, the spring of 2010 should be the kind that South Texans have not seen in quite some time.

Conditions are perfect for an abundance of green grass, vibrant wildflowers and colorful landscape ornamentals.

However, anyone who has lived in the Kingsville area for any period of time also realizes that with perfect spring weather comes some insect pest and landscape disease problems.

As discussed, over the past three weeks, in this column an increase in Red Imported Fire Ant activity is expected as well as problems from the turfgrass fungal diseases Take All Root Rot and Brown Patch.

In addition to these pest, it is also suspected that there will be an increase in wild bee activity this spring and summer.

With that in mind, Kingsville area residents need to remember that the Africanized Honey Bee has been a fixture in Kleberg County since 1991 and is well known for it’s aggressive and defensive behavior.

It is difficult to distinguish between the Africanized Honey Bee and the more docile European Honey Bee.

The AHB is slightly smaller, however, the difference in size is so tiny that positive identification must come from a lab where special equipment is available for wing measurement.

The major difference between the two honey bees is the fact that the AHB is extremely defensive and much easier to provoke then its cousin the European Honey Bee.

Vibrations and noise from mowers, tractors and other types of lawn and garden equipment are quite capable of upsetting the AHB.

Once the Africanized Bee feels that it’s nest has been threatened, it will respond quicker and in much greater numbers then the European Bee.

It has been estimated that stinging incidents will be 6 to 10 times greater when an AHB colony is disturbed compared to that of the European Honey Bee.

Now is the time of the year that homeowners are encouraged to take steps that will discourage wild bees from establishing hives in areas frequented by people.

Filling in potential nesting sites such as tree cavities and holes in outside walls are simple preventive steps that insure wild bees do not become problematic.

Each year calls are received from homeowners who have allowed bees to build colonies between the walls of their home.

Once a hive has been established in the wall, control steps become much more difficult and the chances for a stinging incident increase greatly.

In addition to filling in holes in the outside walls and tree cavities, placing screens on top of rain spouts and over in-ground water meters as well as removing any pile of trash or junk, that has accumulated over the winter months, are simple measures that also help in eliminating future problems.

Due to the abundant moisture it is a safe bet that there will be more wild bee activity this spring as compared to last year.

Taking some simple preventive steps now may very well eliminate major wild bee problems later.