hatchling ball python refuse to eat

i had one do this about a month ago. what i did was offer F/T, it would strike it, sometimes even coiling it. i would then put the enclosure in the dark (alot of times, id try right at the end of the day when it was going to be dark anyway).
the next morning, the F/t would still be there. then i would get it out, put it in a zip lock bag and hold it under very hot running water, rush back to the snake room and offer again,make the enclosure dark again. then it ate it. i had to do this method a few feeding sessions, but after that, it takes it as the others do.
spooky