I have a Jade plant that I have noticed has mealy bugs. I had a really large Jade plant a year ago that also got mealy bugs. I didn't know what they were, but the plant had them for a long time. My father in law told me what they were and that I needed to spray them, so I did. Within 1 week the whole plant was dead! Now, I don't know how to get rid of them since the insecticide seemed to kill my plant. Please tell me how to get rid of them without killing the plant.

Are jade plants really prone to mealy bugs? This plant (and my first one)is never outside and I've never had any other houseplant get them.