My small, dark porch is an in an insect magnet!

Hello have you tried the household insect perimeter sprays available at the home improvement centers?

try spraying a mixture of water and orange essential oil. Bugs typically don't like citrus so this can help to deter them.

You could put some potted plants on your porch, ones that repel bugs. This link might help

https://helloglow.co/10-bug-repelling-plants-your-backyard-needs/

• Bug-Repellant Plants: Looking for a natural bug repellent for your patio? Plant bug-repellant herbs and flowers to keep those pesky insects away. For example, rosemary and garlic are both known to repel insects, and you can also establish a small garden with lemongrass and chive to prevent insects from invading your space. As an added bonus, you can use things that you plant — like rosemary and garlic — in any recipes that call for them. This is one of the best and most natural ways to deter insects and other bugs from spending time in your outdoor spaces.
• Essential Oils: You can find many different essential oil concoctions to help prevent insects from coming into your outdoor spaces. For example, eucalyptus, lavender, citronella and hazel are all known to help prevent bug infestations. Find an essential oil blend that works for you and your home, and take advantage of it on those spring and summer days and nights when you can’t get away from pests.
• Hydrogen Peroxide: Put a little bit of hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle, and spread it liberally over your home’s patio and other surfaces. Make sure to spray the perimeter of your outdoor living space, as well — that will prevent bugs from getting close to you and anyone else. Hydrogen peroxide is relatively inexpensive and easy to apply — just make sure to spray away from food and drink.
• Mouthwash: Mouthwash can be used in a similar fashion as hydrogen peroxide, and it also provides a clean and fresh scent. Fill a spray bottle and use it to apply mouthwash to outdoor furniture and the surfaces around your outdoor living spaces.
• Dryer Sheets: If you have dryer sheets in your laundry room, grab a handful and take them outside. Rubbing dryer sheets on outdoor furniture and surfaces can help prevent some bug species from invading your space, and you can even rub dryer sheets on your own arms and legs to keep insects away.
• Citronella: Citronella torches and candles are a more traditional approach to keeping insects away from your outdoor spaces. They remain a cost-effective and efficient way to keep bugs away from your patio.
• Lighting: Replace traditional light bulbs with sodium vapor lighting or yellow light bulbs. This simple shift can greatly decrease the number of insects that want to spend time in your outdoor space.
• Cleanliness: Wondering how to keep bugs away from your porch? Start by keeping things clean. The dirtier and messier your porch, patio or similar outdoor space, the more likely it is that mosquitos and other insects will spend time there.

I would suggest some bug repellant plants as well depending on how much space you have if you want to go a natural route.

I have a small front porch that is set back and dark and I have the same issues. Ortho Home Defense spray is the best thing I have found. You spray around the door and in the nooks and crannies and you only have to use it every 2-3 months to keep spiders, bugs, etc away. I don't keep my light on and that helps too deter the critters too. You can buy this at HOme Depot, Lowes, or Walmart and it is not expensive. Easy to use and safe around kids and pets.

I invested in a dyna trap 3 years ago. It was the best decision I’ve ever made. It attracts and suctions in the pests. You empty the base. It runs spring to fall. After the second year, I’ve rarely seen anything on my porch.

We've had luck with bug bulbs, they've made a huge difference. We just picked them up at Home Depot. I would give them a try.

Yellow bug lights reduce the attraction of insects. Cinnamon, orange/Osage Orange balls, lemongrass, basils, garlic, lavender, sages, marigolds, and rosemary deter many bugs.

Try clearing out the area around the door of anything bugs can be creepily hiding in like debris, leaves, wet plantings, and the like if it exists. Diatomaceous earth is great stuff too.