CDFA Responding to Invasive Pest Found on Plants Sold at Northern California Costco Locations

Purchased a Grapevine or fruit tree at Costco in Sand City or Salinas? Contact the County of Monterey Agricultural Commissioner's Office at 831-759-7370.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture's Pierce's Disease Control Program (PDCP) is working with Costco Wholesale and county agricultural officials after invasive glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) insects were found on grapevine shipments sold at select Costco locations in Northern California between April 21 and May 19.

GWSS is an invasive insect pest that can damage citrus trees, landscape plants and crops. The pest also spreads the bacterium that causes Pierce's disease, a fatal grapevine disease that threatens California vineyards. Early detection and rapid response are critical to preventing the pest from spreading further.

State and local agricultural officials identified the issue quickly and immediately began response and containment efforts. Fresno County Agricultural Commissioner staff and CDFA personnel have been working onsite at Burchell Nursery since May 19 to stop shipments, investigate the situation and determine corrective actions.

Costco is cooperating and notifying customers, issuing refunds and helping connect purchasers with local county agricultural commissioner offices for inspection and disposal guidance.

GWSS has been confirmed on plants shipped to Alameda, Marin, Placer, Sacramento, San Mateo, Solano, Stanislaus and Yolo counties. Officials are still evaluating additional suspect samples from several other counties, including Butte, Contra Costa, Humboldt, Merced, Napa and Sonoma counties. Monterey County has also received plant shipments and inspections have not detected any GWSS. Please help us keep our county free from this pest by promptly contacting us to schedule an inspection. An agricultural inspector will examine your plants and other host plants and may place a trap on your property for future monitoring for GWSS.

What To Do If You Purchased a Plant from Costco between April 21 and May 19.

Isolate the plant:
o Keep the plant in its original pot or container and away from other plants.
o Do not put the plant in the ground if you have not already done so.
o If possible, place the plant(s) in two trash bags, one inside the other, and seal them closed.
o Do not return, transport or relocate the plant.
o Do not place the plant in the trash or compost bin.

Contact our office: 831-759-7370 or [email protected]

For more information, visit the California Department of Food and Agriculture. https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/pdcp/