Costco Warns Desert Willow Buyers of Pest in Plants Sold June 24-July 3
Updated
Updated · MyNorthwest · Jul 13
Costco Warns Desert Willow Buyers of Pest in Plants Sold June 24-July 3
3 articles · Updated · MyNorthwest · Jul 13
Summary
Costco told customers that desert willow plants bought between June 24 and July 3 may carry glassy-winged sharpshooters, an invasive leafhopper that spreads Pierce’s disease and can kill grapevines.
The retailer urged buyers to isolate the plant, keep it in its original pot, avoid planting it or throwing it in trash or compost, and double-bag it if possible.
Costco said customers should not return the plant to stores; instead, they can get a full refund by presenting the warning letter at a nearby warehouse.
The alert follows a Napa County warning two months ago that 63 of 220 grapevines shipped to Costco in Napa were infested, underscoring risks to California agriculture.
A 2008 University of California study cited by ABC found Pierce’s disease caused nearly $30 million in losses and destroyed more than 1,000 acres of Northern California grapevines from 1994 to 2000.