Santa Clara County agricultural officials have begun visiting neighborhoods to locate and remove grapevine and desert willow plants sold at Costco that may be carrying an invasive insect that spreads a deadly grapevine disease. The effort targets purchases made between April and early July 2026 and aims to protect local homeowners and the region’s grape and wine growers.
What residents should do now
Officials ask residents to check yards and patios for grapevines or desert willows bought from Costco during the specified period and to report those plants for inspection and removal. The county said crews will physically remove any plants suspected of harboring the insect to prevent further spread.
- Look for grapevine or desert willow plants purchased at Costco between April and early July 2026.
- Contact Santa Clara County agricultural officials or the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to arrange inspection.
- Do not attempt to move or discard potentially infected plants yourself; county crews will handle removal.
Why the county is acting
Authorities are concerned the plants could host the glassy-winged sharpshooter, an insect that transmits Pierce’s disease, which blocks water-conducting tissues in grapevines and ultimately kills them. County Deputy Agricultural Commissioner Ericka Mora said the initiative focuses on southern parts of the county where much of the grape and wine industry is located.
"We really wanted to start here in South County because this is where a big part of our grape and wine industries [are] located, so we want to provide protection for our growers," said Ericka Mora, Santa Clara County deputy agricultural commissioner.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture issued an alert advising anyone who purchased grapevines or desert willows from Costco to contact authorities for inspection. Costco has already recovered about 200 of the plants identified in the alert.
Scope and immediate results
| Item | Number/Period |
|---|---|
| Plants sold at Costco in California under inquiry | ~1,300 |
| Plants Costco has recovered so far | ~200 |
| Purchase window flagged by officials | April–early July 2026 |
County crews are conducting targeted home visits to locate, uproot and safely destroy potentially infected plants before the pest can become established. The glassy-winged sharpshooter lays eggs on leaves and feeds on plant sap; its presence can be difficult to detect without inspection.
For Santa Clara residents, the action changes what to watch for in home landscaping and whom to call if you suspect you purchased one of the referenced plants. The county and CDFA are coordinating the response to limit risk to backyard plants and the commercial vineyards that contribute to the local economy.
