Bay Area county is going door to door to collect recalled Costco plant

Santa Clara County is going door to door to collect more than 1,100 recalled grapevine plants sold at Costco after officials warned they could carry an invasive insect capable of devastating local vineyards.

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Beginning this week, the Santa Clara County Division of Agriculture will visit customers who purchased recalled grapevine plants from Costco in April and May, leaving collection supplies and instructions before returning to pick up the plants free of charge, according to a Monday news release.

The recall stems from concerns that the plants may harbor the glassy-winged sharpshooter, an invasive insect that spreads Pierce’s disease, a fatal bacterial disease in grapevines that also affects other crops and plants.

More than 1,300 grapevine plants were sold through Costco stores in Santa Clara County this spring, county officials said. While some have already been recovered, roughly 1,180 plants remain unaccounted for.

SFGATE reached out to Costco for a statement but did not hear back prior to publication.

County officials warned that if infested plants remain in circulation, the insect could spread Pierce’s disease to nearby vineyards, nurseries and farms. They said widespread establishment of the pest could devastate Santa Clara Valley agriculture and potentially trigger state shipping restrictions on local plant businesses.

“Protecting Santa Clara County’s agriculture requires partnership with our community,” Agricultural Commissioner Priscilla Yeaney said in a statement. “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.”

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County workers will leave residents a door hanger with collection instructions, plastic bags, zip ties and a scheduled pickup date.

Officials instructed residents to remove any stakes from the grapevines, place the plants into the provided bags, double-bag them, secure the bags with the supplied zip ties and attach the collection notice. The bagged plants should then be left outside the front door or gate — not at the curb — before 9 a.m. on the scheduled pickup day.

Residents are also being asked not to move, compost or throw away the plants themselves because improper disposal could allow the insect to spread.

Anyone who no longer has the recalled plants is asked to notify the Santa Clara County Division of Agriculture. Pickup is free, while refunds are being handled through Costco, according to the county.