A pollen-storer. The species generally nests in cavities and crevices in the soil, but nests have also been found in stacks of straw and in abandoned rodent nests under the floor boards of sheds. The access tunnel may reach 40-60cm in length, occasionally more. Colonies are usually large, with two hundred or more workers. This is a mild-tempered bumblebee, rarely attacking when a nest is disturbed. Occupied nests are illustrated by Sladen (1912), Free & Butler(1959) and Free (1982).
Rasmont (2008) reports that this species will utilise abandoned mammal nests.