Where are fruit flies commonly found?

Fruit flies are commonly found in areas where decaying or fermenting organic matter is present, which makes garbage and rotting fruit ideal environments for them. These pests are particularly attracted to overripe, damaged, or rotting fruits and vegetables because they lay their eggs in such materials. When fruit becomes overly ripe and starts to ferment, it emits certain chemical compounds that attract female fruit flies looking for a suitable place to oviposit.

Their presence in garbage is also significant, as trash that contains food residues can create a perfect breeding ground. The moist conditions and organic materials in garbage provide both nourishment and a suitable environment for their lifecycle. This attraction to decomposing organic matter is a key characteristic of fruit flies, which is why the correct answer highlights garbage and fruit as common locations for them.

While fruit flies can occasionally be seen in gardens or near outdoor restaurants, these settings do not provide the same high availability of rotting organic matter that fruit flies specifically seek out, making those choices less accurate in describing their common habitats.