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.
Making the world better, one answer at a time. If you live in an area with a lot of snakes, what you may be experiencing is a contamination of your water. Some snakes emit an onion-like odor when scared (like a skunk does). What makes this potentially dangerous is that you may also be ingesting their feces as well, which can contain Salmonella and/or tapeworm eggs.