Dyson, Hoover or iRobot Dirt Dog -- which is better for seed

[LoveMySenegal]

I've read the multiple threads about vacuums and (horrors) am starting yet another. I'm torn between a Dyson DC20 Animal, an iRobot Dirt Dog (with programming), and a Hoover Windtunnel 3765 Bagless. All get mixed reports depending on with whom you speak. I already own a Dyson Slim (excellent vacuum but awful on seed...and it can't get under the bird cages), a "bagged" Windtunnel cannister (a true powerhouse but it is no longer manufactured), and a Roomba iRobot 5400 series. My vet is against bagless vacuums because of the dust they generate when they are emptied. My concern is more with being able to pick up thrown seeds and dried fruit as well as stray feathers and dander without the vacuum raising a white flag or flat out dying on me. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what would be best? My flock comprises a baby Cape, a baby Senegal, a baby Meyers, and three Lovebirds; the entire flock thrills at tossing food and seeds from their cages.

Many thanks.

Anthony

[cyberbudg]

I use a Shark rechargeable sweeper around my parakeets cage every day or so and it works like a charm on seeds and such.

Kathy

[schellp]

I have a hoover wind tunnel (with a bag & a hepa filter), I would be lost with out the attachments. It has a small "additional vaccum" that attaches to the hose to get under the cages and it works wonders on seeds! It's a few years old....ok a few more then a few, but it's the best I've ever owned. It's this model right here

Product Detail

[Okanairda]

I've been investigating buying a Roomba. I read somewhere that you can't use the Dirt Dog on carpet or hardwood floors. The brushes are much rougher than the Roomba and spin a lot faster (1000 rpm), so it will destroy carpet and scratch up hard wood. Just a heads up, you might want to check that out.

[mmr]

I need one that picks up nut shells and chunks of wood!

[Amie]

My Dyson canister is friggin' AMAZING. A little more expensive, but not having a belt or anything for the seeds to get stuck in has saved us the price of buying a new vaccumm every year or so!

[KDK241]

I have a Hoover Fold Away bagless and it is fantastic! It picks up everything, seeds, pellets, feathers, chunks of food....you name it. I have never had a problem with it getting clogged or breaking at all.

When I empty it I just take it out in another room and bring it straight outside to the trash can. It's really not that bad. It does have a little fliter that can get clogged but it's really easy to clean and I only have to clean it once a month or so. The main thing that gets caught in it is feathers.

[Freedomoflight]

Originally Posted by Okanairda

I've been investigating buying a Roomba. I read somewhere that you can't use the Dirt Dog on carpet or hardwood floors. The brushes are much rougher than the Roomba and spin a lot faster (1000 rpm), so it will destroy carpet and scratch up hard wood. Just a heads up, you might want to check that out.

I heard the same thing too. I heard regular Roomba's are just fantastic with birdseed tho.

[jenseits]

I have the Roomba Dirt Dog and it's great and not-so-great, depending on how much stuff I need to get off the floor first (it has difficulty if there are a lot of boxes, chairs, random things on the floor it needs to maneuver around). Plus it isn't equipped to deal with localized messes (e.g., right around the cage) - it roams the entire space, so it takes a long time to get the spots that need it most (unlike the regular Roomba's it doesn't have a spot clean function). Aside from that though, it does a good job.

[Okanairda]

Originally Posted by jenseits

I have the Roomba Dirt Dog and it's great and not-so-great, depending on how much stuff I need to get off the floor first (it has difficulty if there are a lot of boxes, chairs, random things on the floor it needs to maneuver around). Plus it isn't equipped to deal with localized messes (e.g., right around the cage) - it roams the entire space, so it takes a long time to get the spots that need it most (unlike the regular Roomba's it doesn't have a spot clean function). Aside from that though, it does a good job.

What kind of floors do you have? I take it that you haven't had problems with it messing up your flooring? I wanted the Dirt Dog originally b/c I thought it would be better equipped to pick up all the big pellets and whatnot that ends up on my floor, but not if it's going to shred my carpet.