Maybe you’ve seen the large mounds of dirt while walking in your yard or while driving down a country road; the insects ranging in an array of colors are easy to overlook, but once stepped on can be irritating and painful.

These pesky insects, better known as ants, accumulate to make anthills year-round and are more active in times of excessive moisture or dryness.

“Ants are the No. 1 pest control problem in our industry,” said Robert Luker, owner of Terminator Exterminating Company. “We go after them every year and they’re the most difficult to manage.”

Most anthills can grow several inches high and up to 24 inches in diameter if left undisturbed. There are many different species of ants and they can come in many different sizes. Just like butterflies, ants go through four life cycles: egg stage, larvae, pupa and adult stage.

Because ants are constantly trying to advance and grow larger, Luker said the best way to attack ants is with “Ant Bait” which contains the ingredient Abamectin, guaranteed to kill both Queen ants and their colonies.

“The trick is to get something labeled specifically for ants,” Luker said. “No matter what brand you get, make sure it has ant bait in it because the ant bait is stronger than the standard multipurpose agents in granulated form. Don’t overuse granules, one pound covers up to an acre, so using less than that is ideal for an average home.”

The following are some home and garden tips to help you get rid of the aggravating insects.

Rake the anthill and mow the lawn. Rake the hill smooth and keep your grass mowed to help discourage the insects. Try sprinkling the hill with a spot treatment of diazinon, a non-systemic organo-phosphate insecticide to control pests, powder or solution. Keep pets and children away until area is dry.

Slowly pour boiling hot water down the anthill as an organic solution. This procedure will kill some ants and be a warning for others. For an additional deterrent, add ground hot peppers to water. Use a hose daily to flood out ants until they move out as another solution.

Use a shovel to scoop up a pile of ants from one hill and place them into another hill. Take a shovel full of ants from the second hill and place them back in the first hill. Because ants are territorial, this will ensue an all-out war.

Sprinkle diatomaceous earth, a natural compound, around the anthills. The ants going in and out of the hill will be shredded by the treatment. A mix of sugar and baking soda powder may also work.

Place a can over the anthill in the morning. As the day warms up, the ants will bring the eggs to the surface. Slide a piece of cardboard under the can and turn can over. The eggs that are now in the can make a great treat for birds, especially if you keep chickens.