Do European Honey Bees Sting?
European honey bees sting and are the only bee species that can only sting once because they sacrifice their lives when they sting. Because honey bees’ barbed stingers are attached to their abdomens, honey bees die from the severe trauma to their bodies after stinging.
Identifying European Honey Bee Stings
The first thing to remember if a European honey bee stings you is to remain calm. Panicking can cause systemic reactions that might otherwise result in less severe local reactions. Swelling from honey bee stings can persist for several days. We recommend you seek professional medical help immediately.
Severe allergic reactions to bee stings can be common and require immediate medical attention. Anaphylaxis, the inability to breathe, requires expedient medical attention. Allergic reaction symptoms may include:
Again, if in doubt about symptoms shown after a sting, do not hesitate to seek professional medical attention.