How does an animal adapt to things if the animal that experienced it died?

Question

For example killing cockroaches makes them harder to kill or killing them with baygon makes them adapt if they’re already dead?

In: Biology

Answer 1

The cockroaches you killed were the ones who were poorly adapted to the environment, and therefore got killed. Other cockroaches were maybe a bit better at hiding out of your way and therefore managed to survive. And they are the ones who get to make the next generation who carry with them these adaptions. Some of these might even be better adapted to the environment and are able to hid from you even better.