What is NOT a recommended practice for preventing tick infestations?

Allowing pets to roam freely in tall grass is not a recommended practice for preventing tick infestations. Ticks are commonly found in tall grass, shrubs, and wooded areas, where they can easily latch onto pets as they brush against vegetation. By permitting pets to roam in these high-risk areas, the likelihood of exposure to ticks significantly increases, leading to potential infestations and transmission of tick-borne diseases.

In contrast, practices such as regular tick checks after outdoor activities, using tick preventive medications, and maintaining a clean yard are all effective strategies for reducing the risk of tick infestations. Routine inspections can help catch and remove ticks before they attach, while preventive medications can repel or kill ticks that come into contact with pets. Keeping a tidy yard, such as mowing grass regularly and managing brush, can eliminate tick habitats, further reducing the risk of encounters between pets and ticks.