Santa Clara County officials are going door-to-door to collect recalled grapevine plants purchased from Costco. The plants may have the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS), an invasive insect that is capable of spreading Pierce’s disease. Pierce’s disease can kill grapevines and harm other crops and plants.

Costco reportedly sold over 1,300 grapevine plants in Santa Clara County in April and May. County agricultural officials have located some of the plants, but approximately 1,180 of them remain unaccounted for, according to county officials.

To help protect Santa Clara Valley agriculture, county employees started going door-to-door on July 13 to customers who purchased the grapevine plants. They are leaving collection supplies, along with instructions for preparing the plants for pickup.

If the plants are not collected, they can help the GWSS and Pierce’s disease spread to nearby vineyards, nurseries and farms. County officials say local fruit and wine production could collapse if Pierce’s disease is allowed to become established in Santa Clara County and that would impact local businesses. County businesses would not be allowed to ship plants to other parts of the state if the GWSS spread is uncontrolled within the county.

“Protecting Santa Clara County’s agriculture requires partnership with our community,” said Priscilla Yeaney, agricultural commissioner for the County of Santa Clara. “If you purchased one of these grapevine plants, we ask that you participate in this collection effort. By allowing us to safely collect and dispose of the plants, you’re helping protect local vineyards, farmers, backyard gardens and the overall health of our local agricultural economy.”

If you purchased a grapevine from Costco, a county employee will deliver a door hanger with collection instructions, along with zip ties and large plastic bags to tie and double-bag the plants. They will also schedule a pickup date.

You should remove any stakes and uproot the grapevines before placing them in the provided bag, then double-bag the plant. Make sure you tie the bag securely and attach the notice. You can set the bagged plants outside your front door or gate (not at the curb) before 9 a.m. on your scheduled pickup date.

You SHOULD NOT relocate, compost or dispose of the plants yourself. Improper disposal of the plants could help the pests or disease spread.

If you purchased the plant but no longer have it, call the contact the Division of Agriculture at SCC.GWSS@cep.sccgov.org or call (408) 918-4662.

If you need a refund, contact your local Costco.

For additional information, visit cepascc.org/gwss-costco.

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