If you picked up grapevines or citrus plants from Costco in Sacramento or Marysville between late April and mid-May, listen up—you may have inadvertently brought home an agricultural disaster in a pot.
The glassy-winged sharpshooter, a devastating invasive insect native to the southeastern United States and Mexico, has been detected on plants shipped to multiple Costco locations across Northern California. According to Sacramento County agricultural officials, the infestation traces back to a shipment from Burchell Nursery, Inc., in Fresno County that arrived between April 21 and May 21. So far, 160 grapevines delivered to Sacramento Costco locations have been destroyed after inspectors found multiple life stages of the pest. But here’s the real problem: hundreds more are still out there, sitting in people’s yards across the region.
Why should you care? The glassy-winged sharpshooter carries Pierce’s Disease, a bacterial infection that kills grapevines and damages almond, citrus, and ornamental plants. In other words, this tiny bug poses a genuine threat to California agriculture—something Sacramento County Agricultural Commissioner Chrisandra Flores has emphasized:“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.”
The alert now spans 10 Northern California counties, including Sacramento, Solano, Stanislaus, Yolo, Alameda, Marin, Placer, Napa, Yuba, and San Mateo. Agricultural officials are scrambling to contain the spread, which is why they’re issuing strict instructions to anyone who bought these plants. If you purchased grapevines, cover them with two garbage bags and seal them tightly. For citrus plants, schedule an inspection with your local agriculture department—don’t try to return or relocate them. And please, don’t throw them in the trash or compost; that’s exactly how this pest spreads.
This situation underscores a reality many home gardeners overlook: nursery stock can carry hidden threats. Yolo County Agricultural Commissioner Humberto Izquierdo put it plainly:“Now that the glassy-winged sharpshooter has been confirmed on these plants, preventing further spread is critical.”The collaborative effort between Costco, state agriculture officials, and county commissioners is essential, but it all hinges on Sacramento residents taking action with the plants they’ve already brought home. The next few weeks will determine whether this infestation becomes a local problem or a regional agricultural crisis.
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
