Tick Test: Does Pic Of Pests On Muffin Gross You Out?

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention isn’t above disgusting people to increase awareness of how to prevent tick bites.

The federal agency did just that by recently posting a tweet of a muffin covered with poppy seeds and the caption: “Ticks can be the size of poppy seeds. Can you spot all 5 ticks in this photo?”

Judging by the reaction to the tweet, American baked goods sales might take a while to recover. Some of the responses that were tweeted:

• “Potlucks at the CDC must be a hoot.”

• “What kind of (expletive) puts ticks on a muffin?”

• “Why would you ruin poppyseed muffins for me? What kind of monster are you?”

• “I suspect there’s a key-lyme joke in here somewhere.”

• “Can’t get tick bites if you’re biting them.”

• “Guess I won’t be eating lemon poppyseed for awhile.”

The CDC responded to the outcry with tongue planted firmly in cheek: “Sorry we ticked some of you off! Don’t let a tick bite ruin your summer.”

What do you think of the CDC’s marketing ploy? Was it educational, offensive or both? Will you be able to eat a poppyseed muffin any time soon? Let Patch know in the comments section below.

Photo via Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

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