The smell emitted by the plant is irritating for mice and they try to avoid them. Poo from bobcats, snakes, and cats are also effective mice deterrent because of their distinct smell. That smell scares mice away due to their natural fear on their predators. Pet stores have products that contain this unique smell which you can buy to spread over your house to keep mice away.
1) A myth exists that a cucumber smell comes from rattlesnakes. 2) The Tongue Mountain Range is known for harboring rattlesnakes. 3) The only place I have ever smelled random cucumber is the Tongue Mountain Range. Which leads me to believe the tiny minority, that rattlesnakes do in fact give off a cucumber smell.
Kingsnakes eat rattlesnakes, hence their name. Apparently kingsnakes are either immune to or tolerant of rattlesnake venom. Kingsnakes also eat other snakes, lizards, amphibians, birds and bird eggs, and rodents. Rattlesnakes can identify kingsnakes by smell. Rattlesnakes usually retreat in presence of a kingsnake and hold their head and tail close to the ground while arching their back and attempt to hit the kingsnake.