When a bee stings a mammal, the bee dies because it can't retract its stinger, Low Dog said. The bee tries to pull away and the stinger and part of their abdomen are torn from their bodies.

How long do bee stings last? The duration of a bee sting varies. Within a few hours, most of your symptoms will dissipate. However, it may take a few days for swelling and redness to subside.

From tending the garden to walking barefoot on the lawn, a bee sting is just a figment of spending time outside, and consequently, getting stung can sometimes just happen.