While the summer buzz has finally arrived in Norfolk with warmer temperatures and sunshine, another type of buzz seems to be missing this year.

Cold and wet weather has played a major role in the decline of bees and wasps this season, experts have warned. 

With sightings of stingers falling, a pest control specialist has explained how the weather has impacted the population of pollinators in Norfolk.

READ MORE: Let's bee more pro-active to protect our pollinators

waspFewer wasps have been seen in Norfolk this summer (Image: PA)

Andrew Dellbridge, owner of Ace Pest Control in Norwich, said: "All the things that grow and live outside have had a rough start to the year.

"The spring was wet and horrid and our seasons are behind due to prolonged unpleasant weather.

"Farmers have struggled with their crops and yields are down, if plants aren't doing well in spring, everything has a knock-on effect."

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There are estimated to be more than 7,000 species of wasps in the UK and the more social species are essential in helping maintain a balanced ecosystem. 

If the queens successfully hibernate over the winter, they can come out into the next spring and build a new colony.

"Swarms were out of control in a mad few weeks of hot weather earlier in the summer," Mr Dellbridge added. "But now they're returning two months later than usual.

"In two or three years, we could see the species really suffering. If we didn’t have bees, nothing would get fertilised, they are crucial to us and the planet."