Bombus borealis is commonly observed in the northern two-thirds of Minnesota, and is generally less common in southwestern Minnesota in the prairie biome. New queens (gynes) establish a nest belowground at various depths, often selecting abandoned rodent or small mammal burrows in open woodlands. The gynes typically emerge from hibernation in mid-spring, workers in mid-June, and males in mid- or late July. 

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Bombus borealis has a light yellow hairs on the thorax with black hairs between the wing bases (females and males). For males, the first through fourth abdominal segments or tergites (T1-T4) with light yellow hairs, the fifth through seventh tergites (T5-T7) with black hairs. For females, the first through fourth (or sometimes the fifth) abdominal segments or tergites (T1-T4) with light yellow hairs, the sixth (T6) with black hairs. Both males and females have yellow hairs on the vertex (back of the head or "neck") and face. This is a long-tongued species with a malar space that is longer than broad, and wings that are medium to dark brown. Bombus borealis closely resembles Bombus fervidus but has a broader black band between the wings; yellow hairs on the vertex versus black for B. fervidus; and black hairs on the side of the thorax versus yellow hairs for B. fervidus (females).