Pains in the neck (5)
I believe the answer is:
pests
'pains in the neck' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for pests that I've seen before include "Take steps to troublesome animal." , "Steps (anag.)" , "Persistently annoying persons" , "Steps taken about nuisances" .)