I'd try leaving everything in it and wait until his head is poking out and as secretly as you can throw it in (maybe even keep the top off if he pokes out nightly and watch for him to do it). My guy doesn't like being touched by the rodent at all and it shys him away. I've noticed he is more likely to strike when the rodent doesn't know he's in there so he can "hunt" it a little more. He likes to watch it run by his hide and follow it, then immediately strike. I'm no expert though this is just from experience with my 1 snake. Good luck to you!
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