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. The gynes emerge from hibernation in mid-spring, typically after the emergence of the similar-looking Bombus bimaculatus (two-spotted bumble bee). Males and workers are abundant in late summer visiting a wide diversity of flowering plants. 

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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. The population is stable and secure in its native range, and in parts of the eastern United States and southern Ontario, its range is expanding northward. 

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. Males and females have yellow hairs on the vertex (back of the head or "neck") and medium to light brown wings.