what is a fruit fly

A fruit fly is a species of fly in the family Drosophilidae, often referred to as the common fruit fly or lesser fruit fly. They are small, about 1/8 inch long, and have red eyes and brown bodies. Fruit flies lay their eggs near the surface of fermenting foods or other moist, organic materials, and the tiny larvae continue to feed near the surface of the fermenting mass. They are especially attracted to ripened fruits and vegetables in the kitchen, but they also breed in drains, garbage disposals, empty bottles and cans, trash containers, mops, and cleaning rags. Fruit flies are primarily nuisance pests, but they also have the potential to contaminate food with bacteria and other disease-producing organisms. To get rid of fruit flies, it is important to eliminate sources of attraction, such as ripened produce, and to use traps baited with apple cider vinegar and dish soap.