FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (FOX26) — Sacramento County agricultural officials are warning residents to check grapevine plants purchased at Costco after inspectors found the invasive glassy-winged sharpshooter on shipments delivered to stores across the region.
The Sacramento County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office issued an urgent public alert about grapevines sold at Costco Wholesale locations in Sacramento County that were infested with the glassy-winged sharpshooter, or GWSS, an insect that can spread Pierce’s disease, which can kill grapevines.
Costco locations received multiple shipments of grapevines from Burchell Nursery, Inc., in Fresno County.
Officials said all life stages of GWSS have been detected on those shipments in multiple counties, including Sacramento, Sonoma, Marin, Solano, Yolo, and others.
In Sacramento County, 160 grapevines delivered to Costco stores have been destroyed, and agricultural department inspectors found multiple GWSS life stages on the plants.
Officials said hundreds of grapevines are unaccounted for and are believed to be in the possession of community members who bought them at Sacramento Costco locations.
Costco is directly contacting members who purchased plants during the April 21 to May 21 timeframe, and officials said the retailer has been cooperative with county agricultural commissioners.
“GWSS is a non-native invasive pest and vector of Pierce’s Disease, a killer of grapevines,” Sacramento County Agricultural Commissioner Chrisandra Flores said. “GWSS can also damage almond, citrus and ornamental plants. The County has been vigilant in preventing this pest from becoming established, to date. It is imperative that the community pull together to help us limit the risk to our local vineyards and agriculture.”
Officials are asking anyone who purchased grapevines or other Burchell Nursery plants from Costco between April 21 and May 21 to keep the plant isolated in its original pot or container and not plant it if it has not already been planted.
If possible, residents should place the plant or plants in two secured trash bags, one inside the other, and seal them closed.
The agricultural commissioner’s office said residents should not attempt to return, transport, or relocate the plant and should not place it in the trash or a compost bin.
Instead, they should immediately contact the Sacramento County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office at 916-875-6603 or agcomm@saccounty.gov.
An agricultural inspector will be dispatched the same day to examine the grapevine, fruit trees, and any nearby host plants, officials said. As a precaution, GWSS monitoring traps may also be placed on the property.
More information about GWSS and Pierce’s disease is available through the California Department of Food and Agriculture.