There are supposed to be better. I think I remember the numbers rate was 1 mason is worth 100 honeybees. The other benefits are:
1. You don't have to feed them winters, as they go dormant.
2. They stay within about a 100 foot area pollinating
3. Honey bees are dying off, masons are not
4. They don't make honey
5. They do a better job of spreading pollen around, as their main purpose in life is collecting pollen
6. If you leave them unmolested, they don't sting
7. They don't live in a hive
Having said that - I just got them this year, but I'll give you an update on what I think when I put them out
