Wet Substrate Crisis

[Bemottled]

Hey Guys! (First post..)
I have a little bit of a dilemma.
I got my first ball python yesterday (a lil pastel, about 17" or so?) and I love her a lot already. Her name is Chai, like the tea, if you were curious.
Anyways-
The substrate I use for her cage is Cypress chips. When I put it in the cage, it was wet. I figured, not a huge deal, it'll dry on it's own, especially with the heat mat and having the screen lid for ventilation. (I keep a lot of tarantulas, desert species get over wet substrate in a couple days when it dries out, they just get mildly irritated in the mean time)
But I'm reading up about all these awful things like blisters and scale rot just from spilled water dishes and now I feel like I've failed horribly at the most basic first step in owning this BP D:

Should I pull her out to bake the substrate completely dry? The top layer seems dry, but I can feel that under that it's still damp.
I got her yesterday, and kept her out for an hour or two after I set up the cage, but didn't want to much longer since it was an hour back from the show I got her from. (And that's a lot of things going on!) I assumed she'd just be kind of irate, but otherwise fine, kind of like Ts(I know what they say about assumptions).

I don't want to screw up within 24hrs, so any help/suggestions/admonishments are welcome.

Also, where do I get an accurate heat/humidity gauge without breaking the bank? I have a cheap one but I've read most of the ones in pet stores are inaccurate.

Thanks,
-Bemottled

[Reinz]

It's not JUST dampness that causes scale rot. If it was so, my snakes that live in their water bowls would have had big problems long ago.

The problems begin when certain amount and or type of bacteria is present along with the dampness. So keep an eye on the enclosure daily and remove any waste products as soon as spotted.

The Accu-Rite combo Thermometer/Humidity gauges are Walmart and Amazon for about $8-9.

[Bemottled]

Will do!
Good to know I don't have to disturb her besides that. Trying to leave her alone for a few days to get adjusted. (So difficult with her cute face!)

- - - Updated - - -

The Accu-Rite combo Thermometer/Humidity gauges are Walmart and Amazon for about $12?

As long as they're accurate. I know the one I have isn't!

[Reinz]

Updated price with picture on my previous post.

[Bemottled]

Updated price with picture on my previous post.

I'll drop by Wal-mart this week after I grab Chai and my other 8 legged babies some food.
Getting accurate readings of temp/humidity in her cage is priority!

[NoStepOnSnek]

I also have an accu-rite, and it really does help make better decisions about heating and substrate. I had a similar crisis just a couple of weeks ago when Cake's Aspen bedding would be okay on the top but completely soaked on the bottom. I had asked around here too and eventually ditched the shavings for a cut up dye free fleece blanket, with paper towels underneath, for now until I make sure he didn't get any infections from being on the wet floor. Later on I'm thinking of picking up coconut substrate at least for one corner of his enclosure, because it's wonderful at keeping the moisture. Others suggested shop towels, Cypress mulch, and repti chips. I feed him inside the cage so no shavings for him, they get in his mouth.
Good luck to you, enjoy your new snake!