First BP, want to get my stories straight so he's well off :)

[Vypyrz]

Hello, and to BP.net...

Here is what I suggest:

-Remove the live plants and use fake plants in the tank. These will be much easier to maintain and clean when they get urine and feces on them.
-Remove the soil from the substrate. I suspect that is part of your Under Tank Heater (UTH) issue. If the substrate layer is too thick or packed down too tight it acts more like an insulator. The heat can't dissipate up through it into the tank, so it builds up underneath it causing the excessive temps. If you want to use the wood substrates, that is fine. Aspen, Cypress, Forest Bark, and Coconut Bark are all ok. Don't use Pine or Cedar. These can be toxic to your snake if it hasn't been treated properly. Your substrate layer should only be about 1/2-3/4 inch thick. This will allow the heat to radiate up into the tank.
-Make sure your UTH is the correct size. It should cover at least 1/3 of the floor space but no more than 1/2.
-Consider getting a thermostat to control the UTH. Dimmers and rheostats work but, as you have seen, they require alot of monitoring and adjustments to maitain proper temps. With a thermostat, all you have to do is set it for the temp you want and let it do the work. There are several different styles and brands to choose from and the basic thermostats start online for about $30. I will post some links at the bottom in case you are interested. Also, by getting a thermostat, it will free up the dimmer, which you can use on the heat lamp to help regulate the ambient temp.
-Humidity. If you have not done so yet, covering most of the top of the screen with aluminum foil or something like plexiglass will help keep the humidity in. Here are some threads where members show their own methods for doing this...

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...p-w-pics-*DUW*

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...tment-Tutorial

-Thermometers/ Hygrometers: I recommend getting some digital thermometers w/ probes and a digital hygrometer. The analog dial type are notorious for giving inaccurate readings and the digital ones are way more accuate and dependable. Alot of members on here use the Acu-Rite Indoor/Out door weather station. You can usually find these at Lowes or Home Depot in the Outdoors/Garden section or at some Wal-Mart stores in the Home Hardware section. They come with a probe and built in Hygrometer so you can monitor warm and cool side temps and humidity from one unit. They normally cost around $12-$15. If you can't find them in the stores there are a couple of places online where you can order them, but they will cost a little more. (links below).
-Handling: Since your little guy is still skittish, you don't want to overload him with handling. Handling sessions should be about 15-20 minutes long, 3 times per week. You said you feed every 5 days. Make sure you don't handle him for about 2 days after feeding so he can rest and digest. With time, he should relax. One thing you might try is wearing a shirt for a few hours each day without perfume/cologne, then at night, before you go to bed either place the shirt on top of the tank or place it in some type of tupperware container with some holes punched in the lid, then place that inside the tank. This will get him used to your scent, so that he doesn't identify you as a threat, which should also help him calm down.
Here is a list of websites. I am linking you to the thermostats page, but these are reptile supplies websites and they carry just about everything:

http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/...ts-and-timers/

http://www.hydroasis.com/hy/productdetail.aspx?id=375

http://www.plantitearth.com/rootingc...hermostat.aspx

http://www.reptiledirect.com/power-controllers.aspx

http://www.bigappleherp.com/REPTILE-SUPPLIES/Heating

http://www.reptilebasics.com/thermostats/

http://www.spyderrobotics.com/products/index.html

Here is the website for the Acu-Rite Indoor/Outdoor weather station:

http://www.partshelf.com/acu00891.html

Hopefully this will help out a little. Welcome to the addiction...