In the southern two-thirds of Minnesota, Bombus impatiens is one of the most commonly observed bumble bees. New queens (gynes) establish a nest belowground at various depths, often selecting abandoned rodent or small mammal burrows. Gynes emerge from hibernation in late April or early May, typically after the emergence of the similar-looking Bombus bimaculatus (two-spotted bumble bee). Workers typically begin emerging in mid-May, males in July, and gynes in early August.

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Bombus impatiens is commercially bred for agricultural pollination and this species has been introduced outside of its range including in the Pacific Northwest. In its native range, populations are stable and expanding northward into parts of the eastern United States and southern Ontario. 

Bombus impatiens has a light yellow hairs on the thorax with a central hazy black spot (females) or more defined black spot (males). The first abdominal segment or tergite (T1) has yellow hairs, the remaining tergites have black hairs. Females have black hairs on the face and mostly black hairs vertex (back of the head or "neck") with some mixed light hairs next to the thorax. Males have yellow hairs on the face and vertex. Both males and females have medium to light brown wings.