Fruit flies are common in restaurants, produce markets, homes, anywhere that stores and serves food. Like their name implies, they are attracted to rotting fruit and are likely to be seen hovering nearby.

Fruit flies are about an eighth quarter-of-an-inch long. They have a brownish-colored body with prominent red eyes. In warmer climates they are prevalent year round, but in milder temperatures you will see them mostly in the spring when fruit is ripest.

The adult fruit fly lays eggs in the top layer of ripe fruit and vegetables. The young hatch within a week then tunnel into the nearest piece of fruit and take up residence till adulthood.

Fruit flies feed on rotting vegetable matter, especially fruit. They can feed on juice as well, and spillages can soon become breeding grounds. If the breeding substance is out of sight, it can produce thousands of these flies and have them seem to appear out of the middle of nowhere. Not only are they annoying, but ingesting the eggs or larvae found in the fruit is not good for your health amd is said to cause an upset stomach.

Getting Rid of Fruit Flies-

With an existing infestation, you don't want to use pesticides on your fruits, nuts and berries. Instead, fly traps, homemade or bought are the solution of choice. There are several available on the market today.

As always, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure. Keep your home clean and free of rotting fruit and vegetables at all times. Make sure none is left out of sight. A piece of fruit that rolled under the fridge, or even some spilled juice in your cupboards can all cause a major fruit fly infestation.

Any leftover fruit or vegetables should be dealt with promptly, especially during the warmer months. Throw it in a compost pile before it can rot and turn the compost several times to get the pile heated up to make the decomposing occur quickly.

Alternatively, make sure your garbage is well sealed and that your cans are away from your living area. Watch your garbage. Any foodstuffs thrown away, especially fruit is going to attract flies. You can buy special traps that fit underneath your garbage lid and draw the flies up into sudden death. Your garbage cans and drains are also where you can use insecticide to keep fruit flies away.