If you’ve seen either of the Fantastic Beasts films that were created as follow-ons to the popular Harry Potter series, you’ve probably seen the niffler, the mole-like magical beast with the long snout and coat of black, fluffy fur. The niffler is attracted to shiny things like coins and jewelry and is great at digging for treasure. While a mole won’t make you rich by digging for treasure, similar to a niffler, it will definitely wreak havoc on your yard.

If you live anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere other than perhaps in a permafrost or desert environment, you are at risk for a visit, and destruction, from moles. While these ground-dwelling carnivores prefer insects over the leafy and colorful vegetation in your gardens, they do like to dig, and their underground tunnels can create serious problems and frustrations for homeowners.

Moles like to dig deep, and their tunnels are usually about ten inches into the ground. Surface tunnels or ridges are an indicator of mole activity. The good news is that there are prevention strategies to help lessen the presence and the destructive nature of these creatures.

• If you have a cat, consider letting it roam in your backyard, as cats are a great and effective deterrent to moles and other rodents.

• Utilize a safe, long lasting , and easy to use repellent like Shake-Away Rodent Repellent that can cause disorientation to the mole’s nervous system. While humans aren’t affected by the smell, moles are aggravated by the scent, and will likely stay away.

• Dip corn or another item in roofing tar, and place the tarred item inside the tunnel. Moles don’t like tar, and you will block their escape. However, know that with this method, you may need to remove the deceased mole at some point in the future, or you may be at risk of other animals trying to get at and feed on the carcass.

• Sprinkle red pepper or coffee grounds into the tunnel – coffee grounds can also be sprinkled on the soil throughout the yard, and has proven an effective deterrent for moles.

• Set-up a pinwheel or other item that is powered by the wind – the vibration from these items turning in the wind can be annoying and unpleasant for moles, which can help to drive them away.

• Check your yard and soil for the presence of pests. If you are dealing with an abundance of moles, it is possible that you have a high population of bugs and grubs. If this is the case, try spraying your lawns with a milky spore disease or nematodes, which will treat the grubs, and then will make your lawn less attractive to moles.

If you have tried some of these other methods but are still bothered by moles, you can look into a trapping solution. Using a humane trap that will not harm the animal, you can capture the mole and then release it at a reasonable distance away from your home. Ensure that you release the mole at least five miles outside of populated areas so that you do not risk releasing the mole in close proximity to someone else’s yard or garden.