 Before venom immunotherapy , whole body extract immunotherapy was widely used due to its apparent effectiveness , and it was the only immunotherapy used for ant stings . However , fatal failures were reported and this led to scientists to research for alternative methods of desensitisation . Before 1986 allergic reactions were not recorded and there was no study on Myrmecia sting venom ; whole body extracts were later used on patients during the 1990s , but this was found to be ineffective and was subsequently withdrawn . In 2003 , ant venom immunotherapy was shown to be safe and effective against Myrmecia venom . 
