I've found it's safer just to place the rodent in the bin with the snake, on the opposite side from the snake, and keep it calm. A frightened, struggling rodent is more dangerous than one that is just nervous and curious. A snake can approach a calm rodent slowly, and find the best angle to attack from.

If your snake strikes at the rodent defensively, and doesn't eat it, beware when you go to remove it--that rodent is going to want out, and it will go through anything to escape.