I would also suggest trying to prescent the area a bit more before trying the rodent dance. Set the rodent in the feeding container for a bit. Remove the rodent. Place the ball python in the feeding container and give it a few minutes to take in the smells and become a bit more accustomed to its surroundings......then offer the rodent.
Just my thoughts.
I do the prescenting thing already..... And as silly as it may sound I would rather not feed him in his enclosure. The whole associate my hand with food thing ya know?